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Fire chief warns mandatory overtime persists as hires lag; department eyes Medi‑Cal reimbursement for EMS
Summary
Fire Chief Hayes White told the Budget Committee that despite 48 new recruits the department still relies on mandatory overtime because retirements outpace hiring; restored ambulance exclusivity and pending Medi‑Cal reimbursement could add revenue for EMS staffing.
Fire Chief Hayes White told the Board’s Budget and Finance Committee that the department’s operating budget for FY2013-14 is roughly $332 million and that about 92% of that amount is for salary and benefits, leaving limited money for supplies, station upkeep and other needs.
Chief White described the continued effects of historically low staffing levels, saying the department is using a voluntary overtime list (WDO) but must fall back to mandatory overtime when volunteers are exhausted. “It's not something that I'm interested in doing,” he said, noting mandatory overtime strains personnel…
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