There’s been lots of talk lately about the fate of the Wonder Valley Fire Department, which is currently devoid of firefighters. Reporter David Haldane, who attended a community meeting yesterday at which the topic was discussed, provides this report…
It’s all about the water.
That’s the message delivered by Scott Tuttle, a battalion chief with the San Bernardino County Fire Department, at yesterday’s monthly Wonder Valley community meeting. One of the main topics of discussion was the department’s recent abandonment of the local fire station, despite promises that it would remain open.
According to Tuttle, the local firefighters were quietly moved to Twentynine Palms last month after several contaminants–including arsenic and chromium–were found in their water. The good news: the move is only temporary, until the department finds a solution.
The battalion chief’s remarks drew fire from some residents who said they’d been drinking the same water for decades without ill effects. His response: the fire department can’t legally force employees to drink potentially bad water. He said he had no idea when the firefighters would return.
