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Big Bear Fire Authority faces mounting pressure as budget remains unapproved; firefighters warn of staffing and safety impacts
Summary
Public commenters and fire personnel criticized the board for repeatedly delaying approval of the 2025–26 budget. The authority’s finance officer said preliminary year-end numbers show a roughly $1 million deficit in ambulance service revenue, and speakers urged the board and finance committee to present a clear plan for action.
Public comment at the Aug. 12 meeting of the Big Bear Fire Authority centered on the unresolved 2025–26 budget and strained morale within the department.
At the meeting, resident Britannia Huether told the board, “This board is the one that broke this department,” accusing directors of ignoring written warnings and failing to pass a budget. Patrice Duncan, another resident speaker, asked why the budget was not on the agenda and urged transparency, saying the repeated delays send “a message to your new chief as well as your fire department of no confidence.” Firefighter-paramedic Andrew Craig described operational consequences, saying the authority is relying on last year’s budget and that a physician who provides a DEA license for narcotics procurement is currently working without a contract.
The finance officer, Kristen (Finance Officer), presented preliminary fiscal-year cash-basis figures as of June 30 and told the…
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