Public forum tonight on Youngstown FD personnel

YOUNGSTOWN — A public meeting to hear from fire Chief Barry Finley about plans to reduce two battalion chief positions when two retire will be at 6 p.m. tonight at OCCHA (Organizacion Civica y Cultural Hispana Americana), 3660 Shirley Road.

The city council safety committee voted 3-0 July 26 to recommend a change to the master salary ordinance to take the chief’s recommendation.

The ordinance should be in front of city council at its Aug. 28 meeting.

The chief said reducing the two positions through attrition will allow the department to purchase equipment needed to improve the department’s radio equipment.

The fire union wants the equipment improvements, but has expressed concern that eliminating the two positions will put firefighters in danger as battalion chiefs act as the safety officer at fires.