'Regardless of whether we're under contract, regardless of how our equipment is functioning, regardless of whether we're over-worked or tired or stressed.'

Who responds whenever there's a 911 emergency? The fire department responds,' Chavez said. 'Public safety should be the number one priority. All this, for a department that's among the top five busiest in the state, responding to an average of about 10,000 calls per year according to the city's website. The majority of the engines are almost 20 years old and although new engines have been purchased, they won't be ready for three years.Ĭity budgets show Compton's fire department has seen a 23% decrease in funds from about 19.2 million in fiscal year 2019 to 14.7 million in fiscal year 2022. That's because the department's only aerial ladder truck isn't certified. 'If we have any significant or major alarm, we have to rely on outside agencies to provide that aerial capability,' said Daniel Salazar, a Compton firefighter and president of Local 2216.

We're not looking into why we're having retention issues.' 'Our stations are broken down, our equipment is broken down. We are having to work eight days straight, so we're talking eight 24-hour shifts,' said Antonio Chavez, a Compton firefighter and the vice president of their union, Local 2216. Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 105 18915 South Santa Fe Avenue Compton, CA. City Of Compton Fire Department Station 4 950 West Walnut Street Compton, CA. City Of Compton Fire Department StatRosecrans Avenue Compton, CA. 'At times it is very, very difficult to do our job. City Of Compton Fire Department StatEast Palmer Street Compton, CA. They picketed at City Hall Tuesday because they say the department is underfunded, resulting in aging infrastructure at stations, outdated equipment and staffing issues. (KABC) - The 56 firefighters employed by the city of Compton have had enough. Compton firefighters picketed at City Hall because they say the department is underfunded, resulting in aging infrastructure at stations, outdated equipment and staffing issues.ĬOMPTON, Calif.

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