Youngstown firefighters concerned about plan to eliminate fire truck

YOUNGSTOWN — City firefighters expressed their concern to Mayor John A. McNally about his plan to taking a firetruck off the road saying it’s a serious safety issue.

With the firetruck gone, it would eliminate eight fire department jobs — expected to be through the retirement of firefighters — and play a major role in saving about $1 million, McNally said.

Thirty-six of the 138 firefighters in the city went to city hall today as a sign of unity. 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 his proposal is dangerous”as it reduces the number of firefighters, putting more stress of those remaining.

That, Casey said, puts firefighters in a vulnerable position and also results in a bad situation for residents.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com