La Verne firefighters and city officials are at odds about the safety of the community and the department’s ability to keep the community safe, because of ongoing funding and staffing shortages.
The city of La Verne is considering giving up its locally controlled fire department and instead contracting with Los Angeles County Fire Department for the same service instead as a way of addressing staffing shortages and other problems that have impeded the La Verne Fire Department recently.
The La Verne Firefighters Association, the local chapter of the International Association of Firefighters union, is suing the city of La Verne, La Verne Fire Chief Peter Jankowski and Battalion Chief Michael Thompson.
The La Verne City Council last week approved a cost-saving measure regarding Fire Department staffing, over the objections of many who are afraid the change will diminish the safety of city residents.