Salinas Firefighters Association responds to fraud allegations

Members of Salinas City Firefighters Association say they’re rejecting accusations of fraud after word got out that Salinas paramedics certification requirements were falsified.

The Monterey County Emergency Medical Services Department sent a letter to Salinas city manager Ray Corpuz laying out the fraud allegations.

Salinas City Firefighters Association President Josh Hostetter responded to the allegations Friday: “Salinas Firefighters are deeply troubled by the allegations being made by Monterey County EMS and local news. We would like to ensure the public that we remain committed to providing exceptional advance life saving care as we have for over 30 years. This is an issue not just affecting Salinas Firefighters as the local news stories have portrayed. Rather this is an issue facing Paramedics across the county in multiple agencies and businesses. We reject the accusation of “fraud” and stand prepared to be open and transparent moving forward. We are saddened that Monterey County EMS would made such slanderous accusations of our members that have been committed to upholding the publics trust.”

KION’s Matt Sizemore will have the latest at 5 and 6 p.m.