Fire, No Driver
“Part of the requirement of this behind-the-wheel driving test is crossing a railroad track, entering and exiting the freeway, stop lights, stop signs — none of which we have in our fire district,” Ayers says. “So [Murphy] set up two routes with the Arcata Fire Department to do these driving tests. And for the past eight years, the DMV has accepted that we take them out of our area to do the tests. But now they have taken us out of that program because our testing routes are not where our terminal is.”
Now each applicant has to take a day off work (most have day jobs), grab a driver, take a fire engine out of service, and go to the DMV — not open on weekends — for the driver’s test. In the meantime, some of the applicants’ permits have expired and they have to start over.
“We’ve called and tried to make our case,” says Ayers.
DMV spokesperson Jan Mendoza says there’s nothing the DMV can do. “Federal rules for driver examiners have changed in the past couple of years that really restricted the rules,” she says. “It’s affected fire departments all over the state.”
Murphy is discouraged. “I don’t know what to do,” he says.
Firefighters have written letters to Governor Schwarzenegger and to legislators. Nancy Starck, Eureka field representative for Assemblywoman Patty Berg, says Berg has “shared her concerns with the DMV and she’s hoping to work out some accommodation for the firefighters.”
They haven’t heard back from the DMV yet.
Meanwhile, they’re still waiting for drivers out in the mountains. On Tuesday, Smithey calls the Journaland says, “My pager just went off. Orleans fire crew, they’re right now looking for a driver for a water tender.”
→ post a comment
on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Recent short stories
June 11, 2009
Eye of the Beholder
June 11, 2009
Double Down
May 21, 2009
Pearls and Swine
Hank Sims
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
More →
0 Comments