It was a hectic meeting for the Morongo Valley Community Services District Board of Directors last night (November 30). Meeting to address staffing concerns and take possible action, the board heard a presentation from current Fire Chief Gary Yearsley on what it would look like if the fire department were to close for 30-90 days and have the county take over operations while the CSD reorganizes and hires a full staff. Concerned citizens, current firefighters, and lifelong residents of Morongo Valley voiced great concern over the possibility of temporarily laying off the firefighters who are currently working above and beyond the call of duty to keep the station operational. Other concerns were the increased response time associated with calls being run out of Station 41 in Yucca Valley or if they’re busy, Station 42 in Landers. The unorganized meeting lasted over three hours and public comment alleged that the CSD does not have a staffing issue, they have a chief issue.
Other public comments expressed disappointment towards the board for even considering a temporary closure and even more disappointment in the lack of investigation into the allegations of a hostile work environment created by Chief Yearsley. Attempting to come to some answer in the special meeting, the board tried to pass a motion to make Chief Yearsley’s retirement effective immediately, appoint Deputy Chief Brakebill as Interim Chief and Administrative Assistant Brittany Chavez as Interim General Manager. The motion failed with Vice President Brook abstaining, President Swarat voting no, and Directors Tolbert and Gorke in favor of the motion (Director Klimowicz had to unexpectedly leave the meeting for a family emergency and was not present for the motion and vote). Further motions included closing the department for 30-90 days and just appointing Chavez as General Manager, all motions presented failed.
With no answer in sight and Vice President Brook citing the need for more time to consider the information and make a decision, the board reluctantly ended the meeting and agreed to meet again on Friday, December 3, at 6 p.m. to hopefully come to a solution for the future of the Morongo Valley Fire Department and the men and women who work there.
Z107.7 News will continue to closely cover the staffing crisis at the Morongo Valley Fire Department.
