Rumors Flying About Big Bear Fire Authority, We Have the Facts for You

Article sponsored by Mountain Top Producers and Mountains Community Hospital

Over the past few weeks a flyer has been passed around through the Big Bear Valley with what appears to be the intent to spread misinformation. Our reporter Malia Dietz sat down with President Andrew Crane from the Big Bear Professional Fire Fighters association to clear up some misinformation going around. We will touch on 5 key points from that flyer (bold text below) in this article and give you the facts.

1. The Big Bear Fire Protection District does the fire fighting.

The Big Bear Fire Protection District puts out the fires and saves lives. They are self-sufficient and have their own fire chief as well as administration services. Their total salaries were about 3.5 million in 2016 and remain the same in 2017.

Facts: Until 2017 the Big Bear City Community Service District Fire Department as well as Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District employed all fire suppression personnel. Both entities had different salary tables as they were 2 separate fire departments. Prior to the planned merge of both departments, the Big Bear Fire Authority was created as the new “Department” and the logistics were held under this new agency to manage funds and preparation for the planned merge. The Big Bear Fire Authority is the new consolidated fire department in The Big Bear Valley. Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District + Big Bear City Community Service District Fire Department = Big Bear Fire Authority

2. The Big Bear Fire Authority does the book keeping-not fire fighting

The Big Bear Fire Authority does the book keeping, that’s all. They want control over the Fire Protection District. They’re terrible planners and always wind up in a deficit. Their total salaries were about 2.5 million in 2017 a 70% overhead cost. They can be replaced by good booking system.

Facts: In 2010 there was significant talk about why the Big Bear Valley had two separate Fire Departments with 2 chiefs and administrative staff. In 2012 the Big Bear Fire Authority was created to merge the 2 together. The beginning started after the Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District Chief retired. At that point Chief Willis took on the responsibility as Fire Chief for both Departments. This resulted in a cost savings for both entities. Now instead of each department paying a full Chief’s salary they were paying half of what was previously being paid. Until 2017, the Fire Authority was mostly administration functions due to both departments having different retirement systems and different salary tables. The combined administration has a cost savings of approximately one million dollars per year. As of 2017 all Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City fire suppression personnel now work under the Big Bear Fire Authority as a single consolidated agency. There are no longer differences in salary or benefits with the firefighters.

3. They can’t tax us without a vote

These bookkeepers can’t tax us directly because of prop 13. That is why they want us to vote for a tax increase.

Facts: The Big Bear Fire Authority receives its money from pass through funds. This means the city of Big Bear Lake receives tax revenue from property taxes and passes 15% of the 1% property tax to fund Big Bear Fire Authority operations. Big Bear City Community Service District receives pass through funds from San Bernardino County and passes 7.5% to the Fire Authority operations. If a community facilities district (CFD) tax designated for fire suppression was passed by voters all funds would go directly to the Fire Authority for operations.

4. They are bluffing about Sugarloaf station closing.

If they try to close the station the insurance companies will meet with the board of directors and have it reversed. Don’t be afraid and don’t believe their bluff.

Facts: The insurance companies do not have the ability to dictate what cities do with their fire departments. Cities have the responsibility to spend the money they receive for the best service their available money can buy. Insurance companies have the ability to cancel policies if they fail the service is not adequate enough.

5. The Board Of directors must dismantle the Fire Authority.

We only need the Big Bear Fire Protection District. That Fire Authority is a parasite on the community. The board of directors must shut down this crazy group. We would save 2 billion dollars and have a surplus not a deficit.

Facts: The Fire Authority is now the combined personnel at the Big Bear City Community Service District Fire Department and Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District and it is ran by the Big Bear Fire Authority board of directors. The board of directors consists of 10 members these are the 5 Big Bear Lake City Council members and 5 Big Bear City Community Services District Directors. The consolidation of member agencies into one department has increased the service to The Big Bear Valley. Having all personnel under 1 department creates standardization of units, training and relationships. There is a cost savings of approximately 1 million dollars annually with the consolidation.

Residents needing accurate information on the current state of the Big Bear Fire Authority are encouraged to call (909) 866-7566

Article by Malia Dietz