Firefighters are not going to take it anymore.
After months of rumblings around dining tables in firehouses citywide and notifying their political representatives and the local media about their concerns, the Local 22 membership are taking their discontent to the streets and to Mayor Street.
Their message - Philadelphia is at risk under the Street administration's proposed cuts in the Fire Department.
Firefighters and their supporters will stage a rally at 7 tonight at Campbell Square, Belgrade Street and Allegheny Avenue, to protest the cutbacks.
Among the politicians attending the rally, organized by Local 22 and the Port Richmond Civic Association, is state Sen. Mike Stack. He introduced legislation in Harrisburg last week that would require an independent analysis of the impact of closings before they can take place.
"It's the wrong time to be cutting firefighters. It's probably time to increase funding," Stack said yesterday. "I say this in light of the increased risk of terrorism."
Fire Commissioner Harold Hairston was told to cut $13.8 million from his budget, which translated into closing seven ladder companies and four engine companies. But City Council's amended proposal has saved $4 million from being whacked and what exactly is being put on the block is unclear.
Hairston was supposed to meet with Local 22 officials this morning to discuss the specifics about the closings, but he canceled the meeting due "to a previous committment," said union president Tom O'Drain.
Barbara Grant, the mayor's spokeswoman, declined to release specific budget numbers. She also declined to name the companies under consideration for closing.
The mayor's office wants "to redeploy some of our staff and close ladder companies, which is not to be mistaken as closing firehouses," she said.
It's all semantics, says Local 22 spokesman Tom McKiernan. "They might not be closing any firehouses, but they are going to reduce firefighting service."
O'Drain is angry that City Hall has kept information close to the vest. "They are responsible to the taxpayers of the city and they shouldn't be doing it behind closed doors."
