Hermosa Beach Fire Department Closure Delayed

HERMOSA BEACH, CA -- The planned shuttering of the city-run fire department has been delayed, the Daily Breeze reported.

Hermosa Beach was planning to switch to a county-run fire department on Jan. 10. Part of the reason was staffing shortages from the recession that the department has yet to recover. The other part is that the county would be able to provide residents with more services because of its vast resources.

The move was supported by the community, according to the Daily Breeze.

City Council members said in late December they did not want to pull the plug before they know the full cost of the switchover.

“I think January 10 is really ambitious,” Councilwoman Stacey Armato told the Daily Breeze. “I think we lose an opportunity to properly notice the community. This is a really big decision that, in my opinion, we should absolutely notice everybody in the community. Over the holidays is not really a good time.”

The city initially thought it would save $ 1 million from the closure of the department, but it looks like the move may cost the city $1 million more than they are currently spending.

For more on this story, visit the Daily Breeze.