Fire administrative services agreement

Local 2434 president urged letting the Modesto contract expire, citing four deputy chiefs in three-and-a-half years, a vacant fire marshal post, lost identity, and threats to withdraw automatic aid.

Said the presentation was unbalanced, the public can't tell Modesto's voice from Turlock's, and called it 'consistency of instability.'

Urged the council not to make a rushed 3-2 decision and to hold community meetings, saying firefighters' concerns aren't being heard.

Recapped the contract's history, said Turlock has had its own chiefs since 1957, and urged letting the agreement expire and restoring a Turlock fire chief.

Said firefighters deserve independence if that's what they want, warning that overriding their wishes would crush morale.

Said four chiefs in five years is a red flag, the savings are trivial, and suggested a public survey — and possibly waiting until after the November election.

A 32-year retired Turlock firefighter described declining local decision-making, station coverage gaps, and retention losses to Modesto.

A planning commissioner who has met with firefighters said local control can rebuild the department the way Chief Hedden rebuilt police.