Firefighters union wants five minutes with the mayor

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The union representing the city’s firefighters wants to meet with Mayor John A. McNally during his weekly Five Minutes With The Mayor sessions.

McNally will have a session at 5 p.m. today at his office on the first floor of city hall, 26 S. Phelps St.

The doors to city hall will open at 4:45 p.m. to begin sign-up for appointments, and sign-up is on a first- come, first-served basis.

John Casey, vice president of the Youngstown Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 312 said he wants to speak to the mayor about his proposal to take a firetruck out of operation, which would result in eight less firefighters on the payroll.

Under the plan, which was announced in July, one truck would be taken off the road by 2015. That would result in eight less positions on the fire department.

The loss of firefighters will come through attrition, as that many firefighters are expected to retire by then.

The move is expected to save the city at least $1 million.

Casey said he did not want to comment on what he hopes to accomplish when he meets with the mayor, other than to address his concerns about the move.