1OLDTIMER
06-21-2008, 07:01 PM
This is but a reality check...and the dim picture of what is yet to come...not only here, but at many communities across the U.S. Some will be forced to rebubrishing and repowering fire equipment, making do with what they have...with the days of half-million dollar custom pumpers soon coming to an end.
I know that some will choose to ignor this and continue living in denial with their rose colored glasses on, but with local tax bases rapidy drying up, the choices are limited. I wonder how NFPA, ISO and the rest of the demanding regulatory authorities, will rule on this?
http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/article.jsp?id=59914§ionId=46
East Point is considering closing up to three of its five fire stations to avoid having to furlough all of its municipal employees as the city grapples with a budget deficit that could reach $8 million.
City officials said they could not immediately say how many firefighters would have to be laid off to close three stations. The south Fulton County city of more than 42,000 residents employs 116 people in its Fire Department.
"I'm studying the options now and what to do and how we can best continue to keep the quality of service for our public safety in line," said Mayor Pro Tem Clyde Mitchell, chairman of the council's Finance Committee
Over the weekend, Interim City Manager Crandall O. Jones pitched the idea of closing three fire stations after council members told him they did not support furloughs, said Mayor Joseph L. Macon. Jones did not respond to repeated requests for comment Tuesday.
Macon said the city manager has identified three stations that could be closed for a savings of about $5 million: Station No. 1 at 2757 East Point St., Station No. 2 at 3171 Norman Berry Drive and Station No. 5 at 3949 Washington Road.
Mitchell, however, said all five of the city's fire stations are on the table, though it is unlikely the council would discuss closing more than three.
City officials are projecting a budget deficit for next fiscal year ranging from $5 million to $8 million. It is unclear what else the city could do to close the budget gap if it exceeds $5 million.
The fiscal year starts July 1.
I know that some will choose to ignor this and continue living in denial with their rose colored glasses on, but with local tax bases rapidy drying up, the choices are limited. I wonder how NFPA, ISO and the rest of the demanding regulatory authorities, will rule on this?
http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/article.jsp?id=59914§ionId=46
East Point is considering closing up to three of its five fire stations to avoid having to furlough all of its municipal employees as the city grapples with a budget deficit that could reach $8 million.
City officials said they could not immediately say how many firefighters would have to be laid off to close three stations. The south Fulton County city of more than 42,000 residents employs 116 people in its Fire Department.
"I'm studying the options now and what to do and how we can best continue to keep the quality of service for our public safety in line," said Mayor Pro Tem Clyde Mitchell, chairman of the council's Finance Committee
Over the weekend, Interim City Manager Crandall O. Jones pitched the idea of closing three fire stations after council members told him they did not support furloughs, said Mayor Joseph L. Macon. Jones did not respond to repeated requests for comment Tuesday.
Macon said the city manager has identified three stations that could be closed for a savings of about $5 million: Station No. 1 at 2757 East Point St., Station No. 2 at 3171 Norman Berry Drive and Station No. 5 at 3949 Washington Road.
Mitchell, however, said all five of the city's fire stations are on the table, though it is unlikely the council would discuss closing more than three.
City officials are projecting a budget deficit for next fiscal year ranging from $5 million to $8 million. It is unclear what else the city could do to close the budget gap if it exceeds $5 million.
The fiscal year starts July 1.