NORFOLK, Ohio -- Town officials have decided on a "callback" strategy to close the service gap in the town's fire department.
The plan will go into effect Feb. 1, selectmen Chairman James Lehan said.
"When you have someone that is in dire need, and we have the capability to help them, and we have a strategy that would have helped them, I have a problem with not implementing that strategy," Lehan said.
Fire Chief Coleman Bushnell approached the board last month to propose reinstating a callback system for in-town firefighters to cover the gap when the ambulance - which requires two of the three firefighters on staff at any given time - responds to a call.
Bushnell said "hiring people isn't going to be the answer. And, fiscally, it's irresponsible."
Under the current fire union contract, a firefighter called back on duty must be paid for a minimum of three hours; however, the union has agreed to a two-hour minimum, saving the town $40,000 a year.
Bushnell estimates callbacks will cost an additional $60,000 annually.
"The firefighters know the importance of providing service to the community," Bushnell said, and they are willing to negotiate to preserve the safety of the public and their colleagues. Bushnell reported the staff is enthusiastic about the proposal.
Long-term, Lehan would like to have more local firefighters for recall; only nine of the town's 19 firefighters live in town.
Another long-term solution, which is at least five years out, is regionalizing the public safety departments in Norfolk, Wrentham, Plainville and Franklin.
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