How FEMA cuts could impact wildfire response in California, West https://share.google/dzqwkjy3vAufhO9gw
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A great example of cutting off the limb you are standing on..
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a link without needing a subscription to read
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Thanks for that, not sure how you get around the paywall but it’s appreciated
I’d like to see the current or past FEMA negotiated rates for all common apparatuses. Dozers, crews, mkus included , just a quick fact sheet. Be fun.
You hear so many varied numbers on the job. Example~seeing Beverly Hills FD out on assignment or Something similar.
Is there a rate for the apparatus then another for the wages, then the responsible FD just pays the difference on what isn’t reimbursed?
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FEMA Rates are nationwide rates for the equipment only. Wages are different.
Cost of ownership
Maintenance
Fuel
Etc.
All get factored into the rates. When Gas is $2.25 in Alabama. Yet $4.25 in California, the rates go up.
Minimum wage has a HUGE impact on costs of ownership.
Things like
WORK-COMP
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
FICA(SOCIAL SECURITY) Employer contributions
All cost 1.5-3x as much in California opposed to other States. I know MANY PEOPLE that live in Or, Nv, or Az and work in California. They save 3-6% on personal income tax rates alone.
What FEMA is doing is no different than the Hard Line they took with the national template for what is CFMA in California.
Its these reason’s over 50 engines per season from out of state come into California each year on Federal Severity Staffing. 16hr in 24hr is less than P2P/24hr. Which is the primary reason more LG/State resources come into California during a busy California Fire season. Then California sends out of state during a slow California Fire season / Busy SW fire season.
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Speaking of wages, and under CFAA, why does CALFIRE and the Feds reimburse local governments every hour at the time and a half rate if the responder is never backfilled?
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There are still nuances, and loopholes, within FEMA that have been used by Ca. Fire Departments for far too long seeing it as “free” money to exploit. If it is actual dollar for dollar reimbursement for what’s being spent and incurred costs it should be reimbursed. The Federal Government should not be seen as a bank to fill the coffers in Ca. This is what the Trump Administration is trying to accomplish as I see it. It is all taxpayer money and should be treated as such! That’s the bottom line.
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Time and a half at 16hr day is designed to make the providing agency “Whole” when calculated and the Admin percentage fee is added. The providing agenxy gets reimbursed for responding equipment, Costs of Ownership, and compensation for reserve equipment used while the responding unit fills the needed request.
As stated, it was never intended as a “revenue generating” source for the providing agency. There are numerous “Volunteer” agency’s that used and depend on this income for day to day operating expenses.
The Feds have documented cases where the system was being abused. With the change in Washington Political leadership, California Political leadership has demonstrated a lack of fiscal accountability. Sadly its a caae of “a few bad apples ruin the barrel”. With communities such as those mentioned in tbe article (Inyo County) baring the brunt of the hardship.
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I think you are missing the forest through the your political Trees.
The mutual aid system in CA relies on local agencies to send fire engines and firefighters to these fires and work long hours and endure wear and tear on the equipment and PPE. Some of that can be covered by the CFAA but much of it is cumulative and is not covered. You also have to make it worth the time for people who are volunteers to leave their jobs or paid firefighters to leave their assignments to go away for two weeks multiple times a year.
I was personally present when the some high level director from FEMA in the last T administration showed up to a fire in the North Bay to tour the damage and based on what he saw refused the FMAG. This was in spite of over 1500 homes burning down and major damage to infrastructure in a community which had experienced devastating fires in 2017 and 2019. I watched DC’s in CF refuse to go to fires for years because they were not being compensated for their time.. now with the change in ICA… Katie Bar the Door.
Firefighting is not cheap and you get what you pay for. Contract engines who recruit off SM and arrive 72-96 hours after the start of a fire are not the same as local engines who know the terrain and conditions.
I get that your politics cloud your vision.. but do you not have a line?
Come on.. be a fireman..
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Favorite line during Fire Season 2023 “where did all these DC’s come from” 
“Oh you didn’t hear?”
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FF Funerals are now the celebration of ICA, oh, yeah, sorry for your loss
Every 300-500 acre fire that begins on a Thursday won’t be contained till Tuesday.
Its truly sad when this is what happens.
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Also clogging all the available trainee spots in roles that qualify. Puts a damper on future leadership.
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