Fire Rescue News- Atlantic City Fire Department rotates company closings to save jobs
By LYNDA COHEN, Staff Writer | Posted: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 | 7 comments
The upcoming budget cuts are already affecting the city's Fire Department operations.
Fire Chief Dennis Brooks is refusing to allow overtime in his department, hoping to stave off the possibility of lost jobs or demotions. Instead, when fewer than the required 47 workers are available for a shift, Brooks closes a company or two, depending on how short they are. The remainder of the group is then dispersed through other areas of the department.....Continue Reading
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The city is working with the understanding that the mayor's proposed $219 million budget contains a $9.5 million deficit. Cuts to the Fire Department would include 6 percent off the current salaries and wages - or about $1.5 million. Civilian personnel salaries would be cut by nearly 30 percent.
Mayor Lorenzo Langford mentioned periodic and temporary closings of certain firehouses during his State of the City address, but that has not yet happened, Brooks said.
Firefighters working in stations are assigned to companies, either working the engine, ladder truck or rescue. Engines bring water to the fire, ladder trucks do ventilation and high rescue, and rescue companies go in and get people - or other firefighters - when they are trapped.
On Tuesday, Ladder 3 was closed during the day due to a shortage. The company works out of Station 6 on Annapolis and Atlantic avenues - the one that would service the chief's Atlantic City home.
"This was my decision," Brooks said Tuesday. "I'd rather see a company close occasionally than close permanently. And it will help the city deal with the budget crisis."
Brooks said he has not heard of any personnel cuts yet, and that - right now - the mayor is letting him deal with cost-cutting measures.
"We need immediate help for the budget shortfall," he said. "We're looking for tax relief for the citizens."
Brooks is already running with a shortened staff that includes about 10 vacated slots that have not been filled, along with some members on military deployment and several on unpaid leave for disciplinary reasons. Add to that the added mutual aid necessary for Ventnor with the Dorset Avenue Bridge's temporary closing, and it can be tough.
"If we have more than one fire, we have to call in guys who are off duty," Brooks said.
But, he added, there is mutual aide from Ventnor, Margate, Pleasantville and Absecon, which helps with the burden.
Contact Lynda Cohen:
609-272-7257
