Intermountain accepts $2M Cal Fire proposal
When July 1 hits, it will be all over for the Intermountain Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. The contract between the IFRD Board of Directors and the County of San Diego comes to an end that day.
The promise of nearly $2 million in improvements and changes signals the beginning of a new relationship between Intermountain and Cal Fire.
As reported in the April 9 Ramona Sentinel, Cal Fire approved the station’s request for paramedic and advanced life support (ALS) services. But the proposal still remained to be formally approved by the Intermountain board. That took place April 16.
Prior to the meeting, Jeremy Christofferson, chief of IFRD, and Maurice Waters, board president, expressed the shared goal of the board, which was to operate a fully functional station and have paramedics available.
Dave Nissen, deputy chief of Southern Operations for Cal Fire San Diego Unit, and Tony Mecham, Cal Fire San Diego Unit chief, outlined their proposal to a standing-room-only station house.
“This is good government,” said Mecham. “We have looked at everything and are moving forward on many levels.”
Among the proposed changes are new staff, new engines, a new look for the station and a new method of operating.
For starters, Cal Fire will supply the station with county-funded career firefighters. The new staff — which includes a captain, two engineers and three paramedic firefighters — will integrate with the reserve volunteers, many of whom have served Intermountain for years.
The need for paramedics on the two-lane roads covering Ramona, Julian and Lake Henshaw has been an issue for years. Presently, it can take as long as 20 to 40 minutes for help to arrive after an accident, as paramedic assistance is provided by mutual aid agreements with Ramona, Julian and Warner Springs.
The paramedics began their training April 27 in preparation for July 1.
In the meantime, the small station expects a makeover in both functionality and appearance before their arrival.
“We want to run this station like every other fire station,” said Mecham. “The county will pick up all costs associated with the day-to-day operations of this station: Gas, diesel, electric bills, drinking water, toilet paper. All those costs will go away in their entirety.“
Bigger items such as gear lockers, bathroom countertops, new beds and a fully working refrigerator are non-existent at Intermountain. A station remodel costing $40,000 is part of the package Cal Fire has offered.
And there is the issue of those two new engines — a Reserve Engine Type 1 and a water tender — freshly parked in the station’s bay.
“Having a permanent water tender buys a lot in insurance and ratings,” said Mecham. “There will always be three engines here.”
Cal Fire and Intermountain have begun the process of integrating staff, said Christofferson. Many of the reserve volunteers asked how their roles might change when the newly hired staff joins the team. Many of the Intermountain crew also have extensive professional training and experience and did not want their qualifications overlooked.
Mecham said that in future contracts they will have an equal chance to become paid staff. In the meantime, work duties will be split equally between paid staff and volunteers.
But even more than their own positions, the reserve staff expressed their concern for and support of Chief Christofferson.
“If he goes, we go,” said Nima Valleiy, firefighter EMT. “He’s the guy that merged the bridge between departments. He’s always here and has always supported us.”
The staff wanted assurances that not only would Christofferson remain in charge at Intermountain, but that he would be paid for his services.
Mecham said a paid position was open for discussion. But he also let the board know the chief’s role marked the end of an era.
“In the future, there will be no reserve chiefs,” said Mecham. “All reserve chiefs will now become Legacy Chiefs and can stay as long as they desire. However, once they leave, station managers will assume those roles.”
Intermountain’s non-profit status can also remain in place.
At the end of a lengthy discussion, board members voted unanimously to accept Cal Fire’s offer. A provision was made to form an ad hoc committee formally addressing some of the remaining concerns.
Many on the board said they believe they had accomplished a mission years in the works. The station has existed for 25 years.
“This means the doors to the station will never close. Now, regardless of whatever happens, we will have staffing of at least four. We bring paramedics to the entire area in a timely manner. And all of our station operating expenses will be paid for,” Waters said. “There will be challenges, but it is the right thing for Intermountain and the right thing for our area.”
“We’re excited to take this opportunity to work closer with our operational partners, Cal Fire, on behalf of the County Fire Authority,” said Christofferson. “We appreciate San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob listening to our concerns and promptly providing a solution. We’re excited to have support in so many areas that have been lacking in the past.
“This proposal means the people in our community will finally get the level of service they deserve.”