NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. — An anonymous online post implied a fire department is intentionally dragging its feet to emergencies in the wake of budget cuts that have left the department understaffed.
The Sun Chronicle reported that Fire Chief Ted Joubert addressed the social media posts, which infer a conspiracy to endanger the public in a bid for more funding, before selectmen Thursday night.
Chief Joubert said response times have been slowed because of understaffing.
“If someone has an issue with how we’re conducting our business at my department, don’t hide behind your keyboards,” Joubert said. “Anybody who questions that, I would invite to come see me. My door is always open.”
He called the faceless charges “cowardice,” according to the report.
All town departments have had to make budget cuts after voters rejected a $4 million tax increase last April. One station is closed during the day, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and another is closed at night from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. A downtown firehouse remains open.
“I truly hope people will understand we’re doing our best with the staffing and funds we have,” Joubert said. Stations are “closed because the budget was cut. It very clearly states that. Nobody’s happy about it — I get it,” he said.
Joubert said he hopes the strain will ease shortly.
Three firefighters are coming on from the academy in two weeks and injured personnel should be back by the end of the summer, according to the report.
“We need 11 people every day and every night; that’s the bare minimum,” Joubert said. “When we get them back, the strain on overtime will be significantly different. Once we get all that staff back, it will be easier to open those stations.”