Monterey Peninsula Airport District board could make decision on privatizing fire services on Wednesday
MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON APRIL 30, 2023 AT 11:50 AM- After a month-long discussion, the Monterey Peninsula Airport District board could finally make a final decision on whether to privatize fire services on Wednesday afternoon.
During their regular meeting that was held on April 27, the Board heard final presentations that were made from Monterey Fire and Wisconsin-based Pro-Tec Fire Services, Ltd.
The board could not make a decision during their last meeting because they only had three board members present in the meeting.
Most of the public speakers during Thursday's meeting were mainly in favor of keeping Monterey Fire as the main fire protection agency at the Airport.
Monterey Fire has been providing fire protection at the airport for nearly a decade. Pro-Tec Fire Services currently is the lead fire protection agency at 23 different airports throughout the United States,
Pro-Tec Fire Services is offering to become the main fire protection agency for an estimated $137,000 less than what Monterey Fire is offering as of now.
The board says that since public comment was received for the item during the April 27 meeting, they will not be taking public comment during Wednesday's meeting.
The meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. and will be held at the Monterey Regional Airport in Suite 200. If you cannot attend the meeting in person, The meeting will also be available on Zoom.
Decision to potentially switch fire fighting service at Monterey Regional Airport delayed
There was tension between the Monterey Airport District Board and the Monterey Fire Department at Thursday's board meeting.
This tension comes after which fire agency the airport district board will choose for its future fire service provider at the airport.
Monterey Airport District Board Executive Director Michael La Pier recommends the board choose Pro-Tec., a private for-profit fire protection company based in Wisconsin, over the Monterey Fire Department.
The Monterey County Fire Department is not ok if they choose Pro-Tec because Pro-Tec will have a reduction in fire and EMS services around the airport and the surrounding communities.
The Monterey Fire Department says their proposal is more expensive than Pro-Tec's by roughly $137 thousand, but the added cost is worth it because they'll have exceptional service to the airport and the community.
"We never want to tie the public safety to a bottom line or a profit margin," said 10th District Vice President Stephan Gilman. "This company is going to be bare-bones minimum for the airport."
The Monterey Airport District Board has not reached a decision.
They say they plan on moving this item to next week.
