Fire Departments Take Step Forward To Becoming One

Big Bear, Ca, December 15, 2011, 12:00pm – The Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District met this morning for their regularly scheduled meeting, and continued to move forward with the merging process.  The board approved the consolidation of fire department administrative services as prescribed within the phase one of the local plan to merge.  The board also authorized a “Cross Hire” concept in which each department will cross hire the neighboring departments employees into part time positions, which will increase the labor pool for both organizations and will be considered the first step towards work force integration.  Fire Chief Jeff Willis expressed his appreciation towards both departments.  The Big Bear City Community Services District met last week, and approved the same items.  This is one more step toward Big Bear City and Big Bear Lake Fire merging into one entity.