Key issues facing the Moraga-Orinda Fire District

By John Wyro

A response to questions asked by the Lamorinda Weekly

The next 4 years will be pivotal to ensuring the financial sustainability of our District. Achieving pension reforms and health care plan changes, a process that is already underway, is critical if we are to maintain the fire district's current high level of emergency medical and fire protection services, which are second to none. The past 2 years, as a result of the economic recession, the housing market's decline and the stock market's deterioration, the MOFD has faced significant new challenges. In response we have imposed major cost controls in order to achieve a balanced budget (we ended the just concluded 2009-10 budget with a slight surplus). Our employees have forgone raises for those 2 years and our firefighters make a significant contribution to their retirement. We have achieved that result without layoffs or service cutbacks, a difficult task. We will need not only to continue those fiscally conservative policies and practices, but also to further improve upon them, if we are to ensure the long-term financial viability of our fire district.

2. How do you plan on addressing that challenge?

Personnel costs represent 90% of our budget. We are working closely with our district employee unions to manage and control those costs. For that effort to be successful it will require the combined efforts of your fire district's board, the district's employees, the county retirement system as well as county and state officials. If the voters in Division 4 re-elect me, I am next in line to serve as President of the MOFD Board of Directors. I would then intend to lead the MOFD'S efforts to collaboratively achieve long-term financial sustainability for our fire district with full participation of our district's citizens and all of our district's stakeholders.

3. If elected, what will be your goal?

My personal goal is and always has been to lead the district in fulfillment of the District's Mission Statement, "With pride and professionalism, the Moraga-Orinda Fire District will provide the highest level of emergency and public service in response to the needs of our community". Our challenge is to sustain that standard in the face of today's economic environment. I intend to continue working diligently with all of our fire district's stakeholders; foster increased community involvement; and, most importantly, to sustain the fire district's present high level of fire and emergency medical services.

4. What one idea about you would you like to get across to the voters?

I hold a master's degree in public administration, with significant experience in the field and 30 years of community involvement. I have a proven track record of commitment, including; 4 years on the Orinda Union School District Board; 2 years on the Board of the Acalanes District Education Fund; 2 years on the former Orinda Fire District Board; 11 years with MOFD; and have twice been selected as an Orinda Volunteer-of-the-Year. I have the capability to lead our Moraga-Orinda Fire District through this critical time in a fiscally responsible way and to ensure that the fire and emergency medical services we all depend upon will continue to be there for us when we need them.