YOUNGSTOWN Fire chief wants to waive hiring rule

Minority firefighter candidates need more training, but white male candidates can start immediately.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The city human relations commission doesn't want to waive minority hiring rules for firefighters just yet.
Instead, the board wants city officials to first try to work out their differences.
Chief John J. O'Neill Jr. told the commission in a letter that he wants to hire three or four firefighters soon. The hirings would cut big overtime spending, he said.
The city recalled 15 laid-off firefighters after voters approved the half-percent income tax increase last month. The department, however, still has heavy overtime because of vacancies from retirements, O'Neill said.
Hiring rules
City rules say that one female or minority should be hired for every two white male firefighters. There are different civil service lists for minorities and non-minorities.
Candidates on the non-minority list have all the training needed to start immediately, O'Neill said. Candidates on the minority list each need four to six weeks' more training. Plus, the training classes aren't available for at least three months, he said. That means non-minority candidates wouldn't be ready to fight a fire until early summer, he said.
O'Neill wants a waiver so he can hire now from the non-minority list. He also promises to hire minorities in the fall, when he expects to add more firefighters.
Against granting waiver
Councilman James E. Fortune Sr., D-6th, who sponsored the city's minority hiring legislation, is against granting the waiver, said William M. Carter, the commission's executive director.
Carter said he is sure O'Neill is sincere about hiring minorities later. Carter also said he doesn't want to be an obstructionist.
Nonetheless, situations can change, Carter said. He expressed concern that minorities ultimately could be left behind if the commission grants the waiver.
Commission members suggested that O'Neill, Carter and Fortune talk more in the coming weeks and try to work out their differences.
There is time to solve the problem, said Rev. Lewis Macklin II, a board member.
The Rev. Mr. Macklin, who is black, also suggested that the minority firefighter candidates try to get the needed training on their own so they're eligible to be hired immediately.
Candidates on the non-minority list obtained the extra training on their own so they were immediately eligible to be hired, Carter said.
rgsmith@vindy.com