In the aftermath of the devastating January wildfires, first responders in L.A. County are calling for increased pay and expressing frustration towards local politicians for their slow response in negotiations over contracts.
During a recent public appearance, unions for sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, and lifeguards made a firm case for more support, showcasing a half-hour documentary that illustrated the traumatic experiences of their members during the fires.
Dave Gillotte, who leads the county firefighter union IAFF Local 1014, emphasized the importance of the documentary as a reminder to county politicians of the bravery exhibited by first responders facing unprecedented wildfire conditions.
“We’re a little bewildered seeing press conferences from the county saying what an amazing job you’ve done,” Gillotte remarked, pointing out that his members’ sacrifices seem to contradict the official recognition they received. His union’s contract with the county expired just a week before the wildfires erupted.
The documentary features gripping accounts from various first responders, including a sheriff’s deputy who talked about driving through a raging blaze, describing how her car’s tires melted due to the intense heat.
A lifeguard, meanwhile, narrated footage showing the dangers of patrolling a beach engulfed in smoke, recounting a desperate moment where he spotted a flashlight beam from a man whose home was on the verge of being consumed by flames.
Firefighters also shared stories of enduring long shifts with little to no food or sleep as they battled the inferno. Gillotte asserted, “My members don’t whine. They don’t complain. But they did a damn good job.”
This documentary’s release comes in the context of tough budgetary constraints laid out by L.A. County Chief Executive Fesia Davenport, who informed union representatives that pay raises would not be possible in light of significant financial challenges.
These challenges include a staggering $4 billion sex abuse settlement, approximately $2 billion in wildfire-related expenses, and threatened reductions in public health funding from the federal government.
In a statement, the chief executive office underscored the county’s efforts to balance fair employee compensation with the need to maintain fiscal stability.
“Los Angeles County appreciates the essential contributions of our workforce, and we are deeply grateful for the brave and important work by our firefighters and other first responders during the unprecedented January wildfires,” the statement read.
Officials also noted that despite fiscal pressures, the county has managed to balance its $48 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, attributing this achievement to prudent financial planning.
They remarked that the sex abuse settlement could be funded through bonds and tapped into the county’s rainy day fund, which holds nearly a billion dollars.
In sharp contrast, the city of Los Angeles recently approved significant pay raises for its workers, exacerbating a budget deficit nearing $1 billion due to increasing legal payouts and economic downturns.
Mayor Karen Bass’s proposed budget includes plans for 1,650 layoffs, with many affecting civilians in the Police Department, as negotiations begin with union leaders regarding potential postponements of this year’s raises.
County unions, however, argue there is still room for raises in their budget, with SEIU Local 721 representing around 55,000 county employees accusing the county of stalling negotiations and threatening to strike by the end of the month.
The frustration is palpable among first responders, particularly considering the county’s refusal to grant them raises after the heroics displayed during the wildfires.
Richard Pippin, leader of the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, expressed his outrage, saying, “I’m pissed off, bluntly. Because the county fiscally is so much healthier than the city is — even with the settlement. We know that they have the budget.”
Despite requests for comments, none of the five L.A. County supervisors responded to inquiries regarding the situation.
Sheriff Robert Luna, who approved the use of deputy footage in the documentary, stated that he has been advocating for pay increases for his deputies, warning that they might leave for better-paying positions if their compensation does not improve.
“They absolutely need to be fairly compensated,” Luna stated, stressing the unsustainable approach of offering no raises.
While the union representing L.A. police officers announced support for Mayor Bass’s reelection—after previously backing her opponent—county unions have been more reticent regarding potential political repercussions for the supervisors.
“We just need the CEO to show up,” Gillotte concluded, indicating the desire for greater dialogue with county leadership.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-04-25/l-a-county-first-responders-fought-the-worst-fire-of-their-careers-now-they-want-raises
