Water Rescue Program Suspended Because of Lack of Funding, Says Firefighter’s Union

Humboldt Bay Firefighters Local No. 652

Humboldt Bay Firefighters Local No. 652

Press release from Humboldt Bay Firefighters Local No. 652:

Humboldt Bay Fire Chief Bill Gillespie has announced the immediate suspension of the department’s water-based swimmer portion of its water rescue program. This program has executed several rescues of live people from Humboldt Bay since its inception seven years ago.

Humboldt Bay Fire has become unable to fund this program due to continued shortfalls in the budget. Swimmer based equipment has been removed from the apparatus and will be stored.
Members of Humboldt Bay Firefighters Local 652, the department’s labor organization, expressed regret over the suspended rescue swimmer based water rescue program. Humboldt Bay Fire will continue to respond to calls for service in our local waters, but will do so as a shore based response. Throw ropes and long handled tools are some of the interventions that can still be employed.

According to Local 652 President Matt McFarland, “Union members are committed to finding budget solutions that will allow a swim based program to be reinstated in the future.”
Humboldt Bay Firefighters Local 652 would also like to remind residents and visitors to remain cautious and vigilant when working or playing on our local waters. Always wear a personal flotation device, and never mix drugs or alcohol with water based activities.

For more information, citizens are encouraged to contact the Firefighters through their website at humboldtbayfirefighters.org, or on Facebook at Humboldt Bay Firefighters Union – Local 652.

NOTE: An earlier version mistakenly attributed this press release to Humboldt Bay Fire.

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17 Comments
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Thinking allowed
Guest
Thinking allowed
6 years ago

What are the ‘shortfalls?’ Has their budget been reduced or is it like the Federal budget where not increasing funding to levels requested is called a cut even when more is budgeted?

It’s so hard to keep a handle on these things when California budgets are like musical chairs. The State takes from the county then pays the county. But then some seemsvto be skimmed off with each pass through the budget.

Ben Round
Guest
Ben Round
6 years ago

Priorities. Priorities. You’ll won’t see cuts like that for Cal-Trans or our prison system, folks! 🙁

Troy Johnson
Guest
Troy Johnson
6 years ago

Sad, very sad..

Its-a-sympathy-ploy
Guest
Its-a-sympathy-ploy
6 years ago

With the addition of Measure-Z funding HBF is having budget shortfalls. How can HBF be in the red with additional money. HBF needs help from a citizen oversight committee to force them to budget.

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago

HBF did not receive any Measure Z funding. Only volunteer departments did. All funding for HBF comes from the City of Eureka and the Humboldt Fire Protection District.

The City of Eureka again just cut there portion of funding around $50,000 to HBF last week.

Sleepy Alligator
Guest
Sleepy Alligator
6 years ago

That really sucks!

spankie
Guest
spankie
6 years ago

So when needed the most, the people who risk their lives trying to save others won’t be available.
The high number of water related accidents will only increase this summer.

How about less round- abouts and more funding of our fire department emergency services?

Meme
Guest
Meme
6 years ago
Reply to  spankie

Well said

onlooker
Guest
onlooker
6 years ago

So the county is using measure Z funds, a tax approved by voters to fund first responders and emergency services, to pave streets, and a critically important first responder unit is shut down. (Scratches head).

Not measure Z
Guest
Not measure Z
6 years ago
Reply to  onlooker

Measure Z is a county tax and it’s used for public safety priorities in the county. The City of Eureka and the HFD are responsible for the FD funding.

People Person
Guest
People Person
6 years ago

Sorry we can’t save you! Our board of supervisors mismanaged our county funds so you we aren’t covered to actually get in the water! Swim harder!!!

Delta
Guest
Delta
6 years ago
Reply to  People Person

Wow people. How long have you lived here (in this country, I mean. Not Humboldt)?

County Board of Supes= County money= County Departments.

CITY, (pay attention now) of Eureka=Eureka City Council=Eureka tax money= Eureka Department, i.e, HBF.

Ya’ll catch that?

Veterans friend
Guest
Veterans friend
6 years ago

Oh my. Shouldn’t we just tax those growers a little more? How about 100%. They are the obvious scapegoat here. We know only stoned folks fall in the water anyway, and the supes, in their wisdom(?), know where the money is.

The Citizen
Guest
The Citizen
6 years ago

Sorry Vet but “growers” are the only reason your little community can still thrive, let alone exist.
Farm tax money will be the only thing saving this county’s roads, our kids schools and emergency programs.
Get hip with the times. Let go of your narrow minded ways and contribute…instead of sit, type and bitch.
How about we tax our vets 100% and all the square bears who talk before they think. That’ll create some revenue.
This article has nothing to do with cultivation. Stay on topic

Sleepy Alligator
Guest
Sleepy Alligator
6 years ago

Veterans Friend I’m pretty sure I remember a drowning within the past couple of years where the victim was an off duty member of the Coast Guard. There may even have been two of them.

blackandwhitesripes
Guest
blackandwhitesripes
6 years ago

Lets stick our hands in our pockets, stand around and do nothing until some funds magically appear to spend…
Get creative, FUNDS HAVE TO BE GENERATED, THEY DONT JUST APPEAR BY MAGIC.
DO SOMETHING, FUND RAISE, HUSTLE!
make it happen for your self!

Mike
Guest
Mike
6 years ago

Just seen Sacramento is trying to pass a bill that will create a safe space for heroin users, with doctor supervision, paid for by our taxes. It’s not that there isn’t enough revenue, I believe the politicians just have priorities that aren’t the same as the taxpayers that I know. Roads, schools, fire departments