Tony Gossner, chief of the Santa Rosa Fire Department, second from left, waits with other fire officials to testify before a joint legislative hearing on last year's devastating wildfires, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, in Sacramento, Calif. Gossner was among those who told lawmakers that more funding is needed to call in extra firefighters and dispatchers when weather conditions are ripe for a conflagration. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
State lawmakers are getting an earful this week from firefighting officials up and down the state in regards to what it takes to deal with devastating wildfires. Santa Rosa Fire Chief Tony Gossner was among those who told legislators yesterday in Sacramento that more funding is needed to be able to call in extra firefighters and dispatchers on days when fire danger is high. Fire chiefs including Gossner basically want the state to kick in an extra 100-million dollars to pay for more dispatchers, firefighters and equipment at critical times of need.