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From: Barbara Maher To: GRP -City Council Subject: Firefighters and budget cuts Date: Saturday, October 24, 2020 12:57:41 PM In a move that feels somewhat sneaky, the entire executive board met around October 13 and made the decision that a dramatic budget cut to the city includes about $2.6 million taken from the city firefighters. How can this be? This city is exploding with new dense housing along El Camino and the CalTrain tracks. What happened to the 1/2 cent sales tax increase that was supposed to provide protection for public safety? It was used to provide more administration help with the gentlemen's agreement that a future budget cut would eliminate these positions. Instead, the budget cut would most likely eliminate the downtown engine (E9). I don't understand how a city with so many new dwellings going up all over the place can justify cutting the services of fire safety. This is especially puzzling given the extent of wild fires all over the state, some close enough that neighborhoods in the hills were being evacuated including Woodside which is covered by agreement with the city. High winds predicted for this weekend have the potential to blow tiny sparks onto trees and roofs should wildfires start. We have parts of the city that are vulnerable. This idea of cutting fire safety, which includes the first responders for 911 calls for health reasons, is not wise. A good hard look at what other areas could be cut is in order. Community safety in the form of our firehouses and firefighters is not an option for budget cuts in a city which is growing by leaps and bounds. I live one mile from downtown and am not in favor of this idea. The brave men and women who choose to spend their lives in this community based career deserve to be listened to. They deserve to be treated like the heroes they are. Sincere thoughts from a concerned citizen Barbara Maher Redwood City