The Salinas Fire Department is drawing plans to deal with a crew of firefighters who live mostly outside the area.
According the fire chief, 75 percent of the department's firefighters live outside the county, and that poses a safety issue when the department needs backup.
Chief Ed Montez wants to have a backup of local reservists who live in the city and can respond quickly to provide help. The other advantage to having a reserve program is that the fire department has a ready pool of trained firefighters it can hire from.
"We're trying to find some local people who already live in our city, already got a foot in the door who are likely to be quickly available in emergency situations, as well as giving them an opportunity to train," Montez said.
The program would cost the city about $127,000.
Montez will go back to the City Council next spring in hopes of getting the money.
Starting pay for a reserve firefighter would be $6.75 an hour or minimum wage.
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