What Happened to All the Reserve Firefighters?

Re “Fire Directors OK With Retooling Volunteers,” Feb. 7:

Interesting spin the Orange County Fire Authority has taken on the dwindling numbers of reserve firefighters, since it has been the authority that has chosen not to hire or train additional reserves for more than two years. All the while, it has expected a reserve station of 40 to provide the same level of service, but with only nine. Where have they gone?

Several are full-time with the OCFA, one is with the New York Fire Department and others have been hired by Los Angeles city and county and surrounding cities. Many of the reserves initially were hired to gain experience as they pursued a firefighting career. Funny thing. Just recently, the reserves at Station 32 were able to get on-scene before the career crew, because they live in the area and know the streets and routes.

Too bad for the reserves, who do this not for money, but because they love it. But I bet the union is happy.

Gail Campbell

Yorba Linda