On May 31, Councilmember Donna Frye requested that the city council add two code compliance officers and four brush abatement workers to the City payroll. "Anticipation of a high-risk wildfire season mkes these positions critical for public health and safety," Frye wrote. She noted that in 2005, the then-fire chief had said the City should have a brush management staff of 33. On May 31, it had only 3. As a result of her request, some employees were added, but she didn't get what she requested. UCSD political science professor Steve Erie points out that Mayor Jerry Sanders "vetoed a salary increase for fire personnel while giving one to his police buddies." The City has only one more fire station than it had at the time of the 2003 Cedar fire, says Erie. There was a study of the City's needs after that fire, "but the ones San Diego adopted were the ones that didn't cost money."
On May 31, Councilmember Donna Frye requested that the city council add two code compliance officers and four brush abatement workers to the City payroll. "Anticipation of a high-risk wildfire season mkes these positions critical for public health and safety," Frye wrote. She noted that in 2005, the then-fire chief had said the City should have a brush management staff of 33. On May 31, it had only 3. As a result of her request, some employees were added, but she didn't get what she requested. UCSD political science professor Steve Erie points out that Mayor Jerry Sanders "vetoed a salary increase for fire personnel while giving one to his police buddies." The City has only one more fire station than it had at the time of the 2003 Cedar fire, says Erie. There was a study of the City's needs after that fire, "but the ones San Diego adopted were the ones that didn't cost money."