Feinstein Says Taxpayers Need to Pay for Better Fire Protection
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein says the city of San Diego has underfunded its fire department for years. The California Democrat convened a Senate hearing in downtown San Diego today. She says taxpayers need to foot the bill for better fire protection.
Feinstein : The City of San Diego's Fire Department has roughly 35 percent fewer firefighters per thousand residents than average for large cities in the United States. And of the seven largest counties in Southern California, San Diego County is the only one without a unified, countywide fire department.
Feinstein noted that Rancho Bernardo has one fire department for 24 square miles. That's where about 360 homes burned down last month.
San Diego City Council president Scott Peters says voters have rejected two measures to increase fire funding, including one introduced after the Cedar Fire, which would have taxed tourists.
