BOSTON --
Team 5 Investigates has uncovered a controversial new policy in the Boston Fire Department that could be unveiled as early as Monday.
NewsCenter 5's Rhondella Richardson reported that city said it is necessary to control costs, but firefighters said the new policy will leave some parts of the city uncovered and in danger.
The "brown out" is not just a summer conservation effort. The fire commissioner said that the move is meant to avoid layoffs. Deputy chiefs will decide each day which houses to close based on manpower.
If a fire company has a staffing minimum of four firefighters and two are out sick, they are usually replaced with firefighters on overtime. Team 5 has learned that instead of spending overtime, the firefighters that show up will be assigned to another fire house for duty. Their original fire company would be "browned out."
The fire commissioner said it makes sense, but firefighters said the move is terrible. If there is a fire in your neighborhood and the closest fire company is browned out, firefighters said that response time could increase.
"It's like playing Russian roulette," one firefighter said.
"It's not the safest way. It is taking chances," another firefighter said.
The Fire Department's budget was cut by $7.5 million for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
Commissioner Roderick Fraser said that sick time is viewed as another way to take days off. The Fire Department budgeted $12 million for overtime to cover, but spent closer to $14 million.
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