Kenneth Bryant: Council, fire chief acted irresponsibly in rejecting $1 million grant
Re “Modesto rejects $1 million firefighter paramedic grant” (Front page, Oct. 6): The city council’s rejection of a $1 million FEMA grant is disappointing and irresponsible. The grant would have resulted in a firefighter-medic on all 10 fire engines instead of the current three. This 70 percent increase would improve our chances of surviving a critical medical emergency and enhanced the safety of our first responders.
Our fire chief mysteriously recommended rejecting the grant after having directed his staff to apply for it and expressing his pleasure at having received it in late July. As a result, he has lost the confidence of his firefighters and should resign.
Council members routinely follow staff recommendations. Occasionally they will look a little deeper, as did council members Kristi Ah You and Tony Madrigal. My thanks to them for their efforts. Make no mistake, FEMA will not treat this lightly. We will not see this grant again and this action might jeopardize future grant opportunities. Hold council members Mani Grewal, Jenny Kenoyer, Doug Ridenour, Bill Zoslocki and Mayor Ted Brandvold accountable for their irresponsible vote. I intend to.
Kenneth Bryant, Modesto
This story was originally published October 6, 2016 at 4:39 PM with the headline "Kenneth Bryant: Council, fire chief acted irresponsibly in rejecting $1 million grant."