Budget Ax May Fall on Pennsylvania Firefighters

Nov. 21--Allentown residents can expect to save $1.7 million on fire protection if the city's proposed budget is passed, but that decrease would come at the expense of 20 firefighters.

Fire Chief Robert Scheirer presented a "lean" budget to City Council on Tuesday night, calling for a reduction in staff from 145 to 125 members and a minimum of 28 firefighters working per shift. Previously, no fewer than 32 firefighters worked a shift.

Despite objections from fire union President John Stribula, Scheirer said the dramatic reduction in staffing would not put the city at risk. The department never has an ideal amount of manpower but can operate with the presented budget, he said.

"We adapt, we overcome, we do more with less," said Scheirer, who would get a $5,000 raise under the plan, to $100,994. His deputy, Robert D. Kudlak Jr., would also get a $5,000 raise, to $95,366.

The changes were made possible by a 2012 arbitration agreement in a dispute between the city and the firefighters union over the latest contract. Although both sides are appealing the agreement, the standing decision reduced the staffing minimum to 25 firefighters. Mayor Ed Pawlowski's proposed budget would voluntarily increase that number to 28.

But on an average day, staffing has been lower, Stribula said. The fire department replaces officers on vacation, but any other absence, including sick time, military leave or long-term disability leave is not filled. This week the fire department operated with 24 firefighters. Sometimes it is as low as 19 or 20, Stribula said.

As a result, engines are being dispatched with two firefighters on board. That's not enough to effectively fight a fire, Stribula said.

The union presented council members with two maps showing response times. With 25 firefighters working, responses were below national standards in the city's farthest points west, east and south. With 21 firefighters working, the majority of the city was at risk, according to the maps.

"If you approve what the mayor has proposed, that has a catastrophic effect on someone," Stribula said. "Where? I don't know yet."

Scheirer acknowledged that the city regularly staffs engines with three firefighters, despite national standards that call for four to six. He said he had not seen the maps before Tuesday's meeting.

Council President Julio Guridy defended the budget. Every city department has had to make cuts, he said.

"We're just going to have to do a little bit more with less," Guridy said.

Mike Hilbert, the city's superintendent of communications, told council the emergency communications phone system will have to be replaced in 2013, just five years after it was installed. The maker of the main component of the system was bought by another company, which has since discontinued the product, he said.

The city could update the existing system, but that would only last for 18 months, Hilbert said. The replacement will cost $500,000.

Copyright 2012 - The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.)