Whetstone/Sierra Vista Area

[urbanyoda]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone could provide an update on whats new in the Sierra Vista Area? I know Whetstone was supposed to be getting a new engine last fall I believe and was wondering if anyone Had a picture of it has well has what has been going on Department wise in that whole area.

Thanks

[brutom]

Whetstone's Fire Chief was terminated by the board in a special executive session last night (5/10/07) according to the SV Herald. I think they got their new engine last fall. Sierra Vista is out to bid on a third station (17,000 sf) to be located between SR 90 and Charleston Rd near the City's Castro Maintenance Center. They are going to hire 9 new people for that station (already hired 6). SV's Fire Chief is retiring later this year after running the department for more than 20 years.

[urbanyoda]

Wow! Thanks for the update. Wasnt the chief a female? What kind of engine did they get? I ran with them for a bit when I was TDY out there in 1996 and in 2002/3.

[brutom]

Yep, the chief was female. The only reason the board gave for her termination was that it was "not for cause," although they started out saying it was for non-performance. Their engine is a Seagrave single-cab, 1250 GPM, 1000-gal tank, and is actually closer to two years old now, according to one of their full-time medics.

[urbanyoda]

Hmm, she was doing a fine job as far as I could tell last time I was there. Im surprised they went with a single cab. Do you live in that area?

[brutom]

Yeah, I live in (and work for) SV. The Whetstone board had a wild meeting yesterday -- they were going to name an interim chief but their attorney ruled that their previous action to terminate the chief was improperly conducted, so she's back in place but on a leave of absence. Petitions to recall the board members who voted to fire her were circulated at the meeting. Check out www.svherald.com for the story.

Evidently it got pretty crazy, with 80 people attending the meeting.

[urbanyoda]

Wow!! Tell Chuck Balkey Art Gordon said hi :) Could I get you to take a picture of their new engine when you get a chance?