Twelve Moline firefighters are expected to lose their jobs after city officials voted to privatize EMS.
City officials were tied in their decision to cut the dozen firefighters so the mayor ended it by voting for the cost-saving measure, according to KWQC TV.
The firefighters' union has vowed to fight the proposal set to begin on July 1.
Aldermen discussed safety concerns and debated if privatization would save the city money.
"I'm just looking at it from a financial point of view. What are the real numbers, because we've heard real numbers from A to Z.? If the citizens of Moline are willing to fully fund EMS services and support personnel the tax rate would have to be readjusted," Alderman Ted Ronk said during the meeting.
"I would compare this call to privatize EMS in order to save pension costs being a boat that's taking on water and trying to bail out with a Dixie cup. Why would we cut personnel that all but pays for it?" 7th Ward Alderman Sean Liddell was reported to have said.
"We've been told from the beginning that it's not over until July 1st. We've got some options from our union negotiations," President of the Moline Firefighters Union Brian Vyncke told the station.
"Even though today ended badly for us, we think there is still the opportunity for us to continue this fight," Moline firefighter Luis Puentes told reporters.
Now that a decision has been made, the city has to see which hospitals and ambulance services are interested in the job. The city has certain expectations from interested EMS providers. The city administrator says the city would like the provider to offer to purchase Moline's three ambulances, employ as many of the 12 firefighters who will be laid off, and consider leasing ambulance space at Moline's two fire stations, according to the report.
City leaders hope to have applications from those interested back by early February. If the city does not like what it receives, it can continue its search. However, the city would like to have a service provider lined up by early March and start private EMS service by July, the station reported.
The fire department's EMS is in the city's budget until the end of June. The cuts are a part of the city's plan to balance a $1.7 million budget deficit.
