Does Chronic Underfunding of Safety Services Heighten Fire Risk?

Read Murtaza Baxamusa's Blog Today

The wildfires that tore into our communities last week brought devastation to people of all income levels and affected everyone in the region.  Our emergency responders fought heroically to contain the fires, but were they adequately equipped and prepared for this known threat?

CPI's analysis shows that San Diego's anti-tax climate and statewide tax restrictions have combined to leave the region needlessly vulnerable.  The serious underfunding of fire protection services had been well documented in a City fire service report following the Cedar fire four years ago and in a CPI study, The Bottom Line, two years ago.

Today, the author that study, CPI Research and Policy Director Murtaza Baxamusa, explains in a blog how our local firefighting capacity has been damaged because we lack the political will to pay for it.  Please join Murtaza and post your comments at www.VoiceofSanDiego.org/CafeSanDiego.

How You Can Help the Neediest Fire Victims

Several collection drives are underway for fire victims who have been mostly neglected by the mainstream media and relief organizations, and who need help the most.  Low-income families, undocumented workers, people lacking transportation and many others without homeowners insurance or resources are desperately in need of food, clothing and other necessities. 

 Here are a few ways to help:

• Send a check or grocery gift cards to the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice, 3727 Camino del Rio South, Suite 100, San Diego, CA  92108.  The nonprofit organization will deliver cards (for Stater Bros, Food 4 Less, Albertsons, Ralphs, Vons, Costco and Target) to affected north county workers and their families, including janitors and restaurant and hotel workers.  
  
  
• Send checks made out to United Way Department of Labor Participation to the San Diego-Imperial Counties' Central Labor Council, 4305 University Avenue, #340, San Diego, 92105.  The donations will help union workers regardless of their immigration status.  Affected workers can call the Office of Labor Participation, (619) 641-0074 or 641-0095. 
  
  
• Volunteer or donate supplies -- especially nonperishable food, and also toiletries, tents and blankets -- at Western Service Workers Association, 3014 Imperial Ave., SD 92102.  Call first, 619-238-9763, to schedule a drop-off time or to volunteer.
  
  
• Mail a check to Border Angels, P.O. Box 86598, San Diego, CA  92138.  Write "Fire Victims' Relief" on the memo line.  Contact the group at 269-7865 or www.borderangels.org.