Pa. city to lay off fire chief to cut costs

As fire chief, John Lattanzi made about $40,000 a year; he also was responsible for overseeing Clairton’s ambulance service

October 18, 2010 04:48 AM

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

CLAIRTON, Pa. — Clairton Council plans to lay off the city’s fire chief at year’s end.

Councilman Richard Ford II said the decision is a cost-cutting measure. All the other members of the fire department are volunteers.

Ford estimates that Clairton has about 50 volunteer firefighters, depending on their availability.

As fire chief, John Lattanzi made about $40,000 a year. He also was responsible for overseeing Clairton’s ambulance service. He will be paid until 2011, when the city passes its budget.

Lattanzi, a 22-year veteran of the fire department, could not be reached for comment.

Ford said the chief’s salary will go into the city’s general fund and could be used to pay bills from the February snowstorms or to rehire furloughed Street Department employees.

Fire Department Management Labor and Union Issues