By FireRescue1 Staff
WILMINGTON, Del. — This week a fire department resumed its controversial practice of taking rigs out of service when staffing levels fall to decrease overtime costs.
The Wilmington Fire Department stopped using rolling bypass, or conditional company closures, a day after two firefighters, Capt. Christopher Leach and Lt. Jerry Fickes, were killed in a row house fire Sept. 24.
Although no there was no correlation between the two incidents, a fire engine that was nearest to the blaze had been placed out of service that same day, reported Delaware Online.
The policy pulls a rig from service if staffing levels fall below the minimum number of firefighters required to run it due to vacations, call offs or sick leave, rather than allow other firefighters to fill those shifts.
The department stated that the practice decreases overtime costs, and cited over $500,000 overtime spending in the last four months as a major concern. Eleven vacant firefighter positions are contributing to the department’s overtime woes.
“While the practice of conditional company closures may be unpopular among firefighters, the program is necessary in order to control overtime spending,” Wilmington Fire Chief Anthony S. Goode said.
Members of the local fire union protested the decision, with some calling the practice a dangerous one.
“I just don’t agree with the Russian roulette,” Wilmington Councilman Robert A. Williams said. “Engine 6 was closed the night of the fatal fire. Would that have made a difference? I don’t know.”