By FireRescue1 Staff
WILMINGTON, Del. — A week after resuming its controversial practice of taking rigs out of service to decrease overtime costs, the Wilmington Fire Department has announced it will now only take one specific engine out of service.
Last week, the department said it would resume conditional company closures, a move that has been met with concern and outcry from firefighters and the public.
“You can show by past practice, this is a dangerous practice,” Tim Taggart, union vice president,said. “These taxpayers deserve to have six engines and two ladders to provide the service that they are paying for.”
Instead of rotating company closures throughout the department’s three stations, it will only place Fire Engine 6 out of service when staffing levels aren’t met, reported the Delaware Online. The decision will avoid the complete closure of any fire station.
“I always have a concern when we alter the way we do business,” Wilmington Fire Chief Anthony Goode said. “But sitting in a leadership position and actually evaluating where we are, I’ve grown. In doing so … I have to make difficult decisions and continue programs that are unpopular.”