Paid Solicitors Attempt to Derail Sausalito Fire Department Consolidation
Sausalito residents are urged NOT to sign any petition opposing the Sausalito Fire Department annexation unless you know the facts.
If you have already signed and want to revoke your protest vote: Click here
Sausalito City staff have worked with the Southern Marin Fire Protection District, as well as professional consultants, actuaries, accountants, attorneys and the staff of the Local Agency Formation Commission to develop a plan to make permanent the fire and EMS delivery that has been in place in Sausalito for the last 7-1/2 years. This plan is the result of more than 3 years of study, and consideration of numerous different delivery options and was determined to be the most effective operationally as well as the most fiscally efficient. This plan was forwarded to the City Council by the City Manager, the Administrative Services Director (Finance Director), the City Attorney and the Fire Chief after approval by the City and Fire District Consolidation Committee. This plan was approved by the City Council, the Fire District Board of Directors and the Marin Local Agency Formation Commission.
A small group of people have hired PAID SOLICITORS to get you to sign their petition to derail this plan. Make no mistake, these petitioners, who are paid by the signature, do not care about the fire and emergency medical services provided in your community - they care about getting your signature, so they can get their commission.
Those seeking to get you to sign a protest petition make several claims which or either completely false or misleading. Please read the facts below to get the correct information.
If you have already signed and want to revoke your protest vote: Click here
Claim: The City will lose 45% percent of its tax based as it will be transferred to the Fire District.
Fact: While this is true, it is very misleading. What they fail to mention is that currently the City of Sausalito currently spends 55% of its property tax revenue on fire service. The cost to tax payers is actually decreased significantly with annexation. They also fail to mention that should the annexation fail, the cost for fire services will increase substantially, as much as $1.4 million, according to an independent study by Citygate associates, a well respected government management consulting firm.
Claim: That the annexation allows firefighters to "double-dip" and increases pension costs as well as costs to the City Taxpayers.
Fact: This is absolutely untrue. This is simply a desperate attempt to capitalize on the public's concern over unfunded pension liabilities. The fact is that there are no additional costs to taxpayers and in fact City employees who transfer to the District will be required to pay a higher percentage of their retirement costs.
Claim: The City is losing its Fire Department.
Fact: Again, this is absolutely untrue. Southern Marin Fire has been providing the City's fire protection for the last 7-1/2 years. The annexation merely solidifies the fire department that the City currently has in place. There is absolutely no change of personnel, equipment, staffing levels or response criteria. You will have the same highly trained, professional, dependable, community fire department that you have had for the last 7-1/2 years.
Claim: The City is losing ownership its new fire station.
Fact: Again, this is untrue. The City retains ownership of the fire station and leases it to the Fire District for $100,000 per year for 30 years (the length of the current bond). If the Fire District, for any reason, is no longer the provider of fire and EMS for the City, the lease is terminated.
If you have already signed and want to revoke your protest vote: Click here
For more information, visit www.sausalitofirefacts.org.
A letter to Sausalito Citizens from former Councilmembers and Mayors
History of Sausalito/SMFD relationship
Why is Annexation Good for Sausalito?
Marin Voice Article by Peter Van Meter
Former City Councilmember
MarinScope Opinion by Amy Belser
Former Sausalito Mayor
Marin Voice Article by Vicki Nichols
Former Chair Sausalito's Historical Landmarks Board. Member - Measure "S" committee
Marin Voice Article by Cathryn Hilliard
SMFD Board Member
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
City of Sausalito Information
San Rafael Firefighter Runs for MCERA Retirement Board
Chris Cooper is a San Rafael Firefighter that is a "Safety" candidate for the Marin County Retirement board. Local 1775 members should familiarize themselves with the importance of this position, and are encouraged to read Chris' candidate statement, below.
Christopher Cooper: San Rafael Fire Department, Firefighter/Paramedic Age 40
I’m Chris Cooper, a San Rafael Fire Department Firefighter/Paramedic, and I want to represent you on the Marin County Employees’ Retirement Board. I am a longtime San Rafael resident and currently live in Terra Linda with my wife, son and daughter. Though I came to public safety a little later than most, I believe I am well-qualified to serve you on the Retirement Board. My experience includes eight years in the U. S. Army as a Mandarin Chinese Linguist/ Interrogator, eleven years as a Search Manager for the Marin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team and current member of the Marin County Urban Search and Rescue Team. I graduated from U. C. Berkeley in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Economy and earned a Fire Science degree from Victor Valley College. My work experience includes Inventory Manager for a large corporation (Williams-Sonoma, Inc.) and owner of small retail stores in Novato and Petaluma. As your representative, I will work to preserve our hard-earned retirement benefits.
Paycheck Deception Initiative Qualifies for 2012 Ballot
A twice-defeated proposal that seeks to silence the united voice of firefighters and other working Californians is once again headed for the statewide ballot. The new "Paycheck Deception" measure offers a one-sided "reform" that muzzles labor's political voice while preserving advantages for big corporations and special...
Marin Firefighters are Passionately Pink for the Cure!
Please help Marin Firefighters in our campaign to find a cure for breast cancer! During October, 2011, all Marin Firefighters are participating in Breast Cancer Awareness Month throught the IAFF and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. We are actively raising funds and showing our support by wearing pink uniform t-shirts while on-duty. You'll see our members wearing pink while fighting fires and saving lives, and can express your support for the cause by clicking the donation link below. Your gift to Passionately Pink for the Cure supports the life-saving work of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Together we can end breast cancer forever!
October is breast cancer awareness month. The IAFF has partnered with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure to raise monetary donations for breast cancer awareness and research. More information may be found at www.iaff.org, www.komen.org, or our Passionately Pink for the Cure Taam Page.
Marin Professional Firefighters Local 1775 has esstablished a "Passionately Piink for the Cure" fundraising team on the Susan G. Komen web site. Local 1775 donated $1,500 to get us started. We encourage our membership, family, friends, and community to make donations. All donations collected will go equally to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the IAFF Charitable Foundation.
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| Pink for the Cure Slideshow |
Marin Firefighters Wear Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness
All Marin Firefighters will wear "passionate pink" uniform t-shirts while on-duty October 17-23, 2011 to express the IAFF's support for breast cancer awareness. Additionally, during October 2011, IAFF Local 1775 and many IAFF affiliates nationwide will display a pink logo and ribbon on our website, Twitter, Facebook, and other media impressions in express of our support for breast cancer research and treatment.
August 24, 2011 -- Over the past few years, many IAFF affiliates have participated in campaigns to raise awareness about breast cancer. The IAFF is pleased to announce an exciting new program to help affiliates in those efforts.
The IAFF and Susan G. Komen for the Cure invite IAFF affiliates to go "Passionately Pink for the Cure" in October to educate their communities about breast cancer and to raise funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the IAFF Charitable Foundation.
The Passionately Pink for the Cure campaign helps IAFF affiliates participate in National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by providing tools and resources to use in their own communities and events. All donations collected online in connection with the IAFF Passionately Pink campaign will be shared equally by the IAFF Charitable Foundation and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
SFFD Commemorates September 11
On Saturday, September 10, 2011, San Francisco Firefighters Local 798 and the San Francisco Police Officers Association will be hosting an event commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11. We expect to have a large crowd which will also include City officials and other Departments.
Formal ceremonies will begin promptly at 11:00 AM at Civic Center Plaza in front of City Hall, concluding at approximately 12:15 pm. Class A uniforms are requested and we ask that all members attending appear at 10:00 AM if possible. Coffee and pastries will be served.
Please contact Tony Rivera at IAFF Local 798, 415-621-7103, if you have questions.