Movie studio gets full-time fire captain
The city of Burbank formalized an agreement Tuesday with Warner Bros. to finance a full-time fire captain who works exclusively on the studio lot. The Burbank Fire Department has maintained a constant presence at Warner Bros., and the 2005-06 fiscal budget included the staffing of a captain who reports directly to the studio. As a part of the agreement, Warner Bros. will cover the costs of employing the 40-hour-per-week position. Warner Bros. executives offered to pay the costs associated with the position after meetings with city officials regarding the fees of services that the Burbank Fire Department provides for filming activity, said Jennifer Kaplan, administrative officer for the department.
The captain will also act as a communications liaison between Warner Bros. and the city, she said.
Under the terms of arrangement, Warner Bros. will enjoy more timely and constant service, notably in regard to the permitting process and fire personnel overseeing production activity, she said. And the added staff member will offset the workload of the Burbank Fire Department, she added.
