KQED News

Facing Budget Gap, San Carlos Considers Outsourcing its Fire Dept.

April 19, 2011 -- 5:30 PM

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Like many debt-ridden communities around California, the Bay Area city of San Carlos is looking for cheaper ways to provide essential services in an effort to close a $3.5 million budget deficit.

Last night, the City Council heard several proposals for trimming its firefighting budget -- one of which involved outsourcing fire service to a private company based in Florida. If San Carlos chooses that option, it would be the first California city to contract its fire services to a for-profit entity.

Host Stephanie Martin talks with the president of the California Fire Chiefs' Association, Sheldon Gilbert.