| Villaraigosa said he was concerned the city can no longer afford to keep the staff assistants and other administrative personnel on the sidelines as the city enters the brush fire season.
"I know the chief doesn't like it, but entering the peak of the brush fire season, with winds and heat that create an environment for fire, we have to do something," Villaraigosa said.
"Last year, the department responded to 102 brush fires in the city, 173 outside the city. And we are on pace to go beyond that this year."
The mayor said he would consider making the move permanent in the future, but for now, the assistants would return to their regular jobs after fire season.
Fire Chief Millage Peaks, a 35-year veteran of the department, opposes the move, saying the staff assistants are needed in their current duties helping the command staff.
"The mayor is my boss and I'm going to do what he says," said Peaks, speaking at the mayor's news conference. "But
I am concerned about our ability to command and control a situation without the staff assistants. They are part of a model we have had in place for 125 years.
"My concern is if we have an earthquake or a large brush fire or, God forbid, a terrorist attack," Peaks said. "I hope we will be able to manage the situation, without losing control.
"I have not had a full night's rest for the past year, worrying about protecting our firefighters and our city."
City officials estimated the plan will save $18 million by reassigning the staff assistants to regular duty.
The LAFD Chief Officers Association took Peaks' side and sent a letter to Villaraigosa asking for a meeting before the change takes place.
Eliminating the battalion chief will affect how the entire department responds, said John Miller, president of the Chief Officers Association.
"The unilateral implementation of this action directly impacts working conditions," Miller said, adding he will be looking to the City Council to make a number of changes.
The association also plans to ask the City Council to overturn the mayor's action.
Councilman Greig Smith, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, said he believes Peaks should be given more latitude in dealing with the problem.
"Chief Peaks currently has the ability to suspend the modified plan for the fire season based on conditions," Smith said. "Last year, that was necessary for only nine days at a cost of $100,000 per day. So, for $900,000 the chief was able to do for the full year what will now cost $6.3 million for 10 weeks."
Smith said the chief has voiced concerns to him about what will happen during the rain and flood season if he doesn't have flexibility within his department.
Pat McOsker, president of United Firefighters of Los Angeles, has been pushing for a return to full staffing at stations and said he supports the mayor's proposal. McOsker also is looking to soon complete discussions with the city for a new contract.
"We have offered millions in concessions, but we can't get the city to sit down with us on it," McOsker said. "We are definitely offering our share to end these brownouts. We are doing our share and then some."
However, Villaraigosa aides said there is no plan to meet with the unions in the immediate future.
Villaraigosa said he did not want to take the step, but felt there is no other choice.
"I don't have a magic wand that I could wave to solve this problem of $335 million we are facing next year," Villaraigosa said. "I don't have a magic wand to restore recreation centers or that we have seven-day-a-week care at senior centers. But we don't have the money." | 
