ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A $15 million firehouse that opened in April with paramedics but no firefighters finally has a fire engine and crew.
The Washington Post reported that Fire Chief Robert Dubé, with the Alexandria (Va.) Fire Department, confirmed Friday that three firefighters and an officer are joining an EMS supervisor at the 45,000-square-foot facility.
“We’ll have a mix of veteran and new staff,” Dubé said. “We were able to hire people who are EMTs or medics and they’ve gone through firefighter training.”
In September, medics with the department opposed the chief’s plan to cross train them as firefighters. The plan ensures that at least one person in every fire crew will be certified in ALS.
Medics claimed the plan would dilute the care they provide and prevent promotions for those who don’t cross-train. They also said the plan would force medics to work one-third more hours for only 10 to 20 percent more pay.
The council agreed with the chief’s plan, but the decision slowed hiring. Dubé said he wouldn’t force current employees to cross-train. The council voted in June to provide the department with $1.3 million to hire 20 employees.
Dubé said he has been able to hire enough dual-certified firefighters and medics to staff the firehouse after city officials created a process that would move recruits more quickly through the hiring and training process.