IAFF Union Votes 'No Confidence' in Missouri Fire Chief
Aug. 25--The Independence firefighters union on Friday announced a vote of "no confidence" in Fire Chief Sandra Schiess over a proposed reorganization plan that the union says would jeopardize public safety.
But Schiess said that the proposals were preliminary only and that fire protection and safety in Independence is and will remain excellent.
The vote by Local 781of the International Association of Fire Fighters is symbolic only, but members hope it will carry political weight with elected officials who will ultimately decide on any reorganization.
Mayor Don Reimal could not be reached Friday. City Manager Robert Heacock said he would meet next week with 781 President Kirk Stobart to discuss the union's concerns.
Those concerns are about staffing levels at the city's 10 fire stations.
Budget pressures led to a reduction of seven firefighters in the last fiscal year. Three of those positions have been reinstated. But Schiess, who became the city's first female fire chief in 2005, has further reorganization plans that she said are based on research data with the goal of making the best use of the department's resources.
"We're looking at providing the highest level of protection to the community," Schiess said.
She declined to be specific, saying the plans were still preliminary. But Stobart said Schiess is proposing to close two of the 10 pumper companies, making permanent a situation that has often been necessary in the past year because of staffing cuts.
"The chief's priorities do not match the priorities of the firefighters on the front lines, and we feel that public safety in Independence has suffered as a result," Stobart said in a statement announcing the union vote.
The union cited an increase in the volume of calls to the Fire Department. Schiess said fire calls have remained relatively steady while medical emergencies and calls for service have increased.
Heacock said the potential reorganization would eliminate three fire captain positions but add four firefighter positions and a battalion chief. All those positions except battalion chief are union jobs.
"It was intended as a conversation starter," Heacock said.
Stobart said the vote among the local's nearly 150 members, which he described as overwhelmingly in favor of the no-confidence motion, was actually taken several weeks ago. He delivered it to the mayor and council and announced it this week after the latest meeting with Schiess.
No-confidence votes have become a political tool for firefighters across the country, with unions voting for them this year in places from California to Wichita to Northampton, Mass.
To reach Matt Campbell call 816-234-4902 or send email to [email protected].
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