MIDDLETOWN, Ohio -- Just as organized workers rallied the masses to defeat Ohio's union-opposed Issue 2 on Nov. 8, Middletown firefighters took to the streets last week to gather signatures to present to city leaders, asking them not to close Fire Station 84 or lay off workers.
The signatures were intended to be presented to council on Tuesday night by Jon Harvey, president of Middletown Firefighters Local 336. The signatures -- about 500, according to Harvey -- were held in the 11th hour.
Harvey left the meeting early. He said later it was to deal with family matters.
But holding binders full of signatures, Gary Myers, secretary-treasurer of the fire union, said firefighters would present them Nov. 29. Council will vote on a final 2012 budget at that time.
"The public is behind us," Myers said.
Discussions about the state of Middletown's fire department encompassed a sizable amount of council's approximately four-hour meeting Tuesday night. Since the earliest draft of the 2012 city budget was presented in October, the department has been in line for deep reductions. It is slated to lose about $1.2 million next year.
Aside from the closure of Station 84, located at Tytus Avenue and Jackson Street, nine firefighters are projected to be lost.
Citizens in the northeast part of the city would be forced to deal with extended emergency response times. There are also concerns an exhausted staff is more at-risk for setbacks, like injuries.
Much discussion has surrounded a possible brownout of Station 84 until the end of the year. This will not happen, according to City Manager Judy Gilleland.
The station will remain open and staffed with a medical unit, she said. The decision did not require council's vote for approval.
"Medic runs are 80 percent of our business," she said.
The fire department -- dealing with a rash of injuries this year -- is projected for about $50,000 more than initially budgeted in overtime costs.
Council is entertaining legislation to assist in covering the costs, largely by not refilling positions as they are called off for the rest of the year. Between $16,000 and $18,000 could be saved by doing this, Gilleland said.
A large number of local firefighters and concerned community members were present Tuesday night. The seating in City Council's chambers -- capacity is roughly 140 -- was nearly full.
Harvey said firefighters began collecting signatures last Thursday, and they asked residents to attend Tuesday's meeting to speak out.
Janis Cash, of Wildwood Road, addressed council to represent "many of the seniors" in her neighborhood.
"We feel safe and secure having that station there," she said, adding in 1960 paramedics saved the life of a 14-month-old child.
"I personally believe there are less dangerous ways to cut costs."
But the financial situation is dire, according to the city. Dwindling funds are largely responsible for shrinking budgets. About $3.7 million was cut from 2011's general fund. According to Gilleland, 27 positions are to be lost in the 2012 budget. Public safety -- which encompasses 70 percent of the budget -- is set to lose 16 positions.
"These are, unfortunately, very expensive positions," said Mayor Larry Mulligan. "A top-tier firefighter in Middletown (requires) about $100,000 with benefits ... the dollars add up pretty quickly.
"With such stiff reductions in revenue, unfortunately, cuts need to happen in public safety," he said.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
