Oct. 28--Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Friday would not rule out trying to cut the number of Chicago firefighters per truck or closing firehouses to save money.
The mayor's position came as he was asked to react to Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff's assertion this week that he's "deathly against" firehouse closures or truck manpower reductions. Emanuel said he values Hoff's opinions, but they don't always agree.
"I asked Robert Hoff to stay on (as fire commissioner) because I think he does a great job. I have sought his advice as we worked through the budget and reflected changes I made in that budget, and the choices we made," Emanuel said at a news conference to announce trade shows that have made agreements to come to McCormick Place.
"I also like Commissioner Hoff because he's honest about his views. I want him to be honest. That doesn't mean -- what's the old phrase, that if the two of us agree a hundred percent, there's one too many of us in the room," Emanuel said. "That doesn't mean I agree with everything he said, that doesn't mean I disagree with everything he said. When I get to the (fire department union contract) negotiations, I'll have the negotiations."
Emanuel is seeking cuts next year in many city departments, including the Police Department. But his Fire Department proposal includes an overall increase of more than $40 million. That's in large part because he can't make many personnel changes, such as lowering the number of rank-and-file firefighters per truck from five to four, without first negotiating with Firefighters Union Local 2.
The firefighters' union contract lapses in June, however, and the mayor could use that as an opportunity to try to extract concessions.
Testifying at a budget hearing this week, Hoff told aldermen he is "adamant" about keeping the truck staffing levels the same, because to lower them would put residents and firefighters in danger.
"Any decrease in manning, any decrease in fire companies, ambulances or closing of firehouses, I'm literally deathly against," said Hoff, who was appointed by then-Mayor Richard Daley in June 2010.
Firefighter union president Thomas Ryan said Friday it's a "dangerous game" to decrease the number of personnel on each vehicle.
"We strongly support what Commissioner Hoff said. He spoke the truth," Ryan said.
The union leader declined to discuss alternative ways to cut costs at the fire department, saying the union will save its ideas for contract negotiations.
