In Santa Paula the Building and Safety Department found itself the focus of cuts and not filling open positions - from nine to five employees - an issue that will be revisited with anticipated future growth and an already felt up-tick of needed services. Araiza said the department’s budget was slashed by more than half in recent years. There are “philosophical changes” centered on boosting customer and business services and attitudes.The SPFD has full-time captains and engineers and 35 firefighter reserves that now deal with “way more than fires and emergency medical calls... we also do permits and inspections,” among other duties. The SPFD averages about 2,200 calls annually, “about 70 percent medical and only a handful of structure fires,” the latter downturn attributable to tighter fire codes and improved building practices.This year the department will again hit about 2,200 calls, but only 19 calls were related to structure fires. In addition, the SPFD is often dispatched as the nearest responder to incidents in the county jurisdiction. In case of emergency, “It doesn’t matter who responds, except that it be the one that can get there the fastest.”The newest engine in the SPFD fleet is three years old - Araiza noted Representative Elton Gallegly greatly helped the department secure a grant for an engine - and the life expectancy of the equipment is 10 years. The Rotary Club has also been generous, and a recent FEMA grant funded new breathing equipment. Araiza said the annual “Moonlight at the Ranch” fundraiser for the Santa Paula Police & Fire Foundation “has helped us tremendously with grants” that have allowed the purchase of much needed life saving equipment.
Chief Rick Araiaza updates Rotary Club on Santa Paula Fire Department
December 02, 2009
Santa Paula News
The Santa Paula Fire Department is facing challenges, but is still on the front line of emergencies, those attending a recent Rotary Club meeting learned from Chief Rick Araiza.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe Santa Paula Fire Department is facing challenges, but is still on the front line of emergencies, those attending a recent Rotary Club meeting learned from Chief Rick Araiza.Rotarian Paul Skeels, the former SPFD chief, said Araiza, a city native, proved to be a “very loyal and capable firefighter” who started as a paid-call volunteer and then “moved up through the ranks.... Rick was my assistant chief for many years. He’s one of the most even-tempered men I know and is very cool and calm under fire,” figuratively and literally. Araiza’s duties, said Skeels, now include heading the city’s Building and Safety Department.“At work I’m even-keel, but,” joked Araiza, “I’m a different person on the basketball court or golf course!” Although the department is growing, it is still facing a difficult budget year although, Araiza noted, the SPFD “never had an excess of funds.... We have great mutual aid agreements” with other fire agencies that are needed “just to survive.”Last year Araiza was tasked in taking over the Building and Safety Department when the director retired. He noted several other cities utilize such shared leadership duties.