Voice of OC’s Norberto Santana, Jr. reports today on a proposal from the John Wayne Airport staff to cut services for Airport Fire and Rescue to what Orange County Professional Firefighters President Joe Kerr says are the lowest level allowable under Federal Aviation Administration regulations.
Kerr said officials are “playing Russian Roulette with airport safety” by reducing staff levels even by one person.
Santana reports:
John Wayne Airport officials are scheduled to present a plan to the Orange County Board of Supervisors Tuesday that cuts one firefighter position per shift from the station that serves the airport, a move that will save $600,000, the officials say.
The proposal is in response to a request by supervisors that the airport lower its firefighting costs or outsource the fire response service altogether.
Read the complete story on Voice of OC here.
UPDATE: The Orange County Board of Supervisors decided on Tuesday to maintain current staffing levels for an additional year to allow for more study.