O.C. Lawmaker Angry Blue Ribbon Commission Advice Ignored

SACRAMENTO, Oct. 25, 2007 -- An Orange County legislator who is watching homes in his district burn, ripped into his fellow lawmakers for not following the advice of a Blue Ribbon Commission that recommended the purchase of 150 more fire trucks. The panel was set up by governor Schwarzenegger in 2004.

"I wish we had more pressure, more firefighters, more engines to fight these fires," said Rich Vance from Carlsbad Fire Dept.

While California's ability to fight big fires has improved since the 2003 wildfires, the state battled this week's blazes without the additional equipment it was advised to get.

The Blue Ribbon Fire Commission recommended three years ago that the state buy 150 more fire engines.

Only 19 have been ordered and will arrive next year.

Mark Ghilarducci worked in the state's Office of Emergency Services under previous governors and is now a crisis consultant.

"The bottom line, though, is they could do more, and they need to do more," said Ghilarducci.

Earlier this week, an Orange County lawmaker publicly blasted his colleagues for dusting the recommendations under the rug.

"They made those recommendations, and yet the Legislature did not choose to follow those recommendations. To me that's unconscionable," said Assemblyman Todd Spitzer (R) Orange.

One of the problems is money. Each engine is custom-built at a quarter-million dollars.

The state's nagging budget shortages only allow OES to buy a few fire trucks at a time. But less expensive operational and communications moves were implemented, including boosting truck staffing from three to four in key areas and keeping some firefighters on the job year-round, instead of seasonal.

"The response has been quicker. We actually got into the field in two days what in 2003 took us six days to get into the field. So clearly, there's been an improvement," said Carroll Wills from the California Professional Firefighters Union.

"Let's seriously look at those recommendations and make sure that all of those that can be done, are being done and make them a priority before the next fire," said Ghilarducci.

Had all of the Blue Ribbon Commission's recommendations been implemented, it's unclear whether that would have made a difference this week. Southern California is under a prolonged drought and more people are living in the wild lands.

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