By Geraldine Gibbons
The Times-Tribune
The Dunmore Fire Department faces a critical staffing shortage, causing concerns for public safety, according to the Dunmore firefighters union. Even the borough’s fire chief was pulled from administrative duty and worked directly with crews.
The Dunmore Borough Council president said the council is taking steps to hire more firefighters to alleviate the problem.
The International Association of Firefighters Local 860 , led by Dunmore firefighter Todd Flaherty, has taken to social media with its concerns.
“Please do not let reduced fire department staffing become the new normal. Dunmore is a large, busy town, our community deserves reliable fire protection every day,” the union said.
The post noted several instances when it was necessary for Fire Chief Christopher DeNaples to be pulled from administration and work firefighting duty.
According to findings highlighted by the union from a July Dunmore fire services study, the current staffing model relies heavily on forcing existing members to work extra hours. The borough currently spends about $260,000 annually on overtime costs alone.
“Both borough leadership and fire department staff have expressed significant concern and frustration with the amount of overtime necessary to maintain operations,” the study said. Part-time personnel are used on an “on call” basis but not assigned regular shifts.
“Despite having ten part-time personnel on the roster, Dunmore Fire often struggles to maintain minimum staff,” the study concluded.
DeNaples said the personnel shortage needs to be straightened out sooner rather than later.
“There needs to be people hired to relieve overtime staffing and ensure our apparatus is fully staffed in order to provide adequate protection to borough residents, which they deserve,” he said.
The department is a 100% paid operation employing 14 full-time personnel — including the fire chief, one captain and two lieutenants — and 10 part-time personnel.
The department’s collective bargaining agreement sets minimum staffing at four personnel on duty.
Council responds
Borough council President Thomas Hallinan assures residents the borough has taken steps to hire additional firefighters.
Hallinan said the borough always prioritizes the safety of its residents and firefighters, but emphasizes that the hiring process takes time.
“There is a lengthy and legally required process for hiring qualified firefighters through civil service,” he said.
The Dunmore Borough Civil Service Commission recently completed the process of establishing a new certified list for entry-level firefighters, including a physical fitness exam on July 11, a written exam on July 25 and an oral exam on Aug. 8.
Following the examinations, the borough will complete the mandatory background checks required as part of the hiring process, Hallinan said.
“We are committed to making sure we hire qualified individuals while following every required civil service procedure,” he said. “We will be discussing hiring additional fire personnel before our Oct. 12 meeting.”
Regardless of your department’s budget and finances, should chiefs regularly ‘ride the backstep’ and be hands-on during calls? Why or why not?
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