Putting out fires is the purpose of Santa Rosa's volunteer fire department.
A call Saturday had them taking on a much different task.
"We had an order, and we did it,” said a source close to the city.
The source did not want to be identified, but said the call was not an emergency.
Instead, it was an order for firefighters to pump a personal pool full of water, according to the source.
"Supposedly the order was from city hall,” said the source, “No one knows who gave it out."
The City Manager told Action 4 News he gave the order.
He did not want to speak on camera, but said he did it to make the city money.
He provided Action 4 News a receipt as proof.
The receipt shows the city charged the homeowner $80.
Twenty dollars went for delivery, and $60 for the water.
The city said they filled the pool with around 3,000 gallons of water.
According to the city water department, that would normally cost around $22.
The receipt shows the city billed the homeowner nearly triple that amount.
The source close to the city is frustrated with its actions.
The source said money should not matter.
He believes the safety of Santa Rosa families was threatened.
Action 4 News did speak with the Santa Rosa’s volunteer fire chief.
He too did not want to speak on camera, but said only three fire trucks took water to the pool.
He said trucks meant for fighting fires remained at the station, and plenty of other firefighters were on hand if an emergency had taken place.
The mayor of Santa Rosa initially agreed to interview with Action 4 News.
When Action 4 News tried setting up an interview time, she did not answer her phone.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT