Tuesday, September 16, 2014
YOUNGSTOWN
City firefighters expressed concern to Mayor John A. McNally about his plan to take a fire engine off the road saying it’s a serious safety issue.
With the truck gone, eight fire department jobs would be eliminated — expected to be through the retirement of eight firefighters — and it would play a major role in saving about $1 million annually, McNally said.
Of the 138 city firefighters, 36 went to city hall Tuesday as a sign of unity against the mayor’s plan. Of the 36, six met with McNally during his monthly “Five Minutes with the Mayor.”
John Casey, vice president of the Youngstown Professional Firefighters Local 312, said he told McNally that the proposal is dangerous as it reduces the number of firefighters, putting more stress of those remaining. About 33 percent of all firefighter fatalities are caused by overexertion and stress, he said.
Also, having firefighters in that condition puts residents in danger, Casey said.
McNally’s plan would be to eliminate a truck on a North Side station along with three captains, three lieutenants and two firefighters through attrition by the end of the year. That would save $781,000 annually.
Read the complete story in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.