So, this seems to have gone down a path that the OP probably never intended. A couple of thoughts that hopefully are neutral in tone and perspective. The 10% pay cut, while in this discussion is for CalFire personnel but in reality is across the board for all State employees. The payroll for CalFire personnel is through the General Fund budget. Items such as Contractor Pay, Hotels and other incident related expenses all come from the State’s Emergency Fund. While there might be some items attached to an incident which could be reduced, the facts are, that even if all of the Contractor pay was eliminated and hotels were not an option any longer, (And before that sets anybody’s hot button’s off, that is not intended to become a strategic direction) that in the big picture budget issue would not have any real effect. Those of us who have been around a minute or two, have seen this occur at least once and more likely many more than once. It isn’t at all favorable and nobody is suggesting that this is going to be anything but painful. The only real other option in the CalFire world is to look to reduce staffing which is would be far worse in the long run.
Having been through some of these different scenarios, at the end of the year, my overall income was not severely impacted as we tended to have an increase in fire assignments during those times but everybody has to reach their own decision about what they are willing or not willing to do.
Above all, let’s keep our eye on the ball and not get mired in stupid stuff that everyone has a firm belief in, either pro or con with respect to hotel stays on incidents.