The following article was written by Jeff Grant for YourWestValley. Click here to read the YourWestValley article in its entirety.

Outside consultant to evaluate Glendale’s police, fire staffing

A team of former executives in public safety, government finance and personnel will conduct a top-to-bottom review of Glendale’s police and fire operations to determine if present staffing levels are adequate.

The approval of a $161,512 contract with Citygate Associates of Folsom, Calif., follows calls by several City Council members earlier this year to address high response times within the Fire Department and concerns that fiscal limitations were affecting those figures and could do so for police as well.

[…]

“This is a very important step,” Turner said Tuesday, adding the council is committed to doing the best it can with available funds.

[…]

The study team will be led by Stewart Gary, a retired fire chief of the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department in Alameda County, Calif., who will be bolstered by experts in government finance, personnel, and emergency communications recognized in their respective fields.