By Adam Brandolph
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
WILKINSBURG — The state Senate on Thursday unanimously approved a bill that would merge the Wilkinsburg and Pittsburgh fire departments and sent the bill to Gov. Ed Rendell for his signature or veto. The House approved the legislation in September.
“I think the merger is a win-win for Wilkinsburg and the city,” said Wilkinsburg Fire Chief Owen McAfee.
Both sides touted the move as a cost-cutting consolidation that will provide the 2-square-mile borough with better fire coverage.
“It will provide safer emergency fire service to all citizens of Wilkinsburg,” said Joe King, president of Pittsburgh Fire Fighters Local No. 1. “We want them to know this move doesn’t eliminate their fire service, it enriches it.”
Under the merger, the city would offer permanent jobs to Wilkinsburg’s 26 paid firefighters. Pittsburgh would assume the firefighters’ pension liabilities, but Wilkinsburg would turn over an undetermined sum of money to pay for their pensions. The firefighters would be forced to move to Pittsburgh within a year, to comply with a residency requirement for city employees. Pittsburgh would assume control of Wilkinsburg’s fire station.
“That’s good consolidation of government,” said Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills.
Wilkinsburg officials previously said the merger could save the borough more than $500,000 a year. Wilkinsburg annually budgets $2.2 million for fire protection. Pittsburgh’s fire bureau has a $52 million budget and about 650 firefighters.
“I’m generally supportive of it,” said City Councilwoman Theresa Smith, chair of council’s public safety committee and one of five council members briefed on the merger last week.
“It makes both operational and financial sense,” said Public Safety Director Michael Huss. The deal would not go through until after Jan. 1, Huss said.
Wilkinsburg officials will host public hearings to discuss the merger at 6 p.m. on Oct. 26 and Oct. 28. The meetings will be held at Wilkinsburg’s municipal building at 605 Ross Ave.
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