Salem firefighter to return

May 14, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By D.A. WILKINSON

SALEM

The newest city firefighter, Kevin Bryan, may be back on duty as early as Saturday if the paperwork can be completed by then.

Bryan qualified for state money that will allow him to return to work.

He was one of three firefighters laid off earlier this year because of the city’s tight finances.

But he was the only firefighter who qualified under a program overseen by Lawrence A. Kosiba, the executive director of the Sustainable Opportunity Development Center in Salem, who also is working with the Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services. The program is designed to help people get full- or parttime jobs.

The other two firefighters did not meet the income requirements of the program. He met the income requirements because he was new to the department and made less money than the other two.

The firefighters union voted to waive contract language in its pact with the city in order to allow Bryan to go back on duty full time. Under the terms of the change, Bryan will not get overtime pay.

City Fire Chief Jeff Hughes said that having Bryan back will save the city in overtime pay.

Mayor Jerry Wolford said, “I’m happy. I’m very pleased.”

Wolford earlier this year laid off 13 workers because of a decline in city revenue.

The funding for the program is estimated to end in mid-September.