"If it were not for the MOFD [Moraga Orinda Fire District], I would have a different life right now," said Tamara Attard in her public comment at the start of the Orinda City Council meeting on January 19th. A few days earlier, the MOFD fought a 2-alarm fire at the Attards' home. Noting that the MOFD arrived within 4 minutes of the family's call for help, Attard believed the agency's quick response time was critical to saving her home from being completely destroyed and preventing the fire from spreading to affect other nearby homes. "My house was ready to blow," she stated, describing the wall of fire in the garage that almost advanced to consume her home. "I am such a supporter of the MOFD," she said in conclusion to her comments to the City Council.
Not surprisingly, given the attention the MOFD has received in Orinda lately, fire and emergency services were once again on the City Council's agenda later that evening when the Council discussed how to proceed with evaluating the proposal from the citizen group F.A.I.R. While no one questions the high quality of service provided by the MOFD, F.A.I.R. continues to question the cost of that service.
Residents on both sides of the issue supported the Council's move toward Tri-agency discussions regarding fire and emergency service funding. The discussions will include representatives from the Orinda City Council, Moraga Town Council, and the MOFD Board of Directors. Mayor Tom McCormick and Council Member Amy Worth have been appointed to represent Orinda and Mayor Ken Chew and Council Member Mike Metcalf will serve on the subcommittee from Moraga. The MOFD Board will choose their representatives after receiving a presentation by F.A.I.R. on February 3rd.
Orinda resident Carl Weber, who was part of the original committee that analyzed fire and emergency service in Orinda that subsequently led to the formation of the MOFD, pointed out that the original process took over a year with extensive input from four agencies and members of the public. Weber urged the Council to make a careful and deliberate review of the F.A.I.R. proposal. "Look carefully at the assumptions," said Weber, adding that he has concerns about the impact changes could have on the quality of service.
"I urge you to get a consultant so we can all get the true facts in this situation," said resident Bill Judge, formerly an Orinda City Council Member and Mayor. Judge has encouraged the Council at previous meetings to utilize an outside source to vet the facts of the F.A.I.R. proposal and evaluate new options. In response, Council Member Steve Glazer suggested that, given Orinda's budget constraints, the cost of a consultant be born by the MOFD or jointly by the involved agencies.
The Tri-agency meeting on fire and emergency service funding will be held on March 3rd at 7 p.m. in the Garden Room of the Orinda Library.
Not surprisingly, given the attention the MOFD has received in Orinda lately, fire and emergency services were once again on the City Council's agenda later that evening when the Council discussed how to proceed with evaluating the proposal from the citizen group F.A.I.R. While no one questions the high quality of service provided by the MOFD, F.A.I.R. continues to question the cost of that service.
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA