By Tess Hill
The Cumberland Times News
CUMBERLAND, Md. — Chuck Koelker, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1715 in Cumberland, said the amount of money the fire department needs to cut from its budget is equivalent to eliminating the nine newest people on the force.
“That is not what we’re proposing to do though,” Koelker said. “What we’re offering, is every pay period (every two weeks) we would be paid for 75 hours instead of 80 hours. Technically it’d be a pay cut, but it doesn’t lower our salary. But this is just one of the ways we’ve proposed to handle the budget cut.”
The second option the fire department would like to see is early-retirement packages.
“A lot of people who work in the city are very close to retiring but can’t for one reason or another. So what we’re asking the city to do is put together some kind of incentive to possibly have those people be able to retire (early),” Koelker said. “And, because of differences in salaries, one or two of those who retire is probably equivalent to one of our younger guys leaving. So why not make some incentive for the older ones to retire a little early and be able to keep our younger guys?”
Koelker said the fire department has 18 men on a crew during each shift and if those nine positions are cut, there would be three fewer men on each shift.
“We need a minimum of 13 workers to run calls, so being cut to 15 is getting pretty close to that minimum,” he said. “It would be very difficult to run all of the calls we’re doing now ... I think some of the service we provide now would be lost because we wouldn’t be able to run all of the calls we’re doing now.
“We’re willing to do whatever it takes to keep these younger people on,” he said.
Some residents don’t want to lose the services and reliability of a paid fire department, while others believe that all options should be considered.
“I am completely supportive of keeping a paid fire department,” said city resident Claire Defusco. “The fire department can get anywhere in the city in about four minutes and, with an older father living at home, I love knowing that they will be there.”
Chris Terry, city resident and owner of the Jewelery Place on Baltimore Street, agreed and said that a paid department seems to be better trained and always has people on staff for emergencies.
“Both paid and volunteer fire departments have their advantages, but I think for the city it’s better to have a paid department,” he said. “And don’t get me wrong, I have a lot of friends who work on volunteer fire companies and they do a wonderful job but it’s hard to replace a paid professional.”
Lori Grimes, resident of Bedford Road just outside city limits, said the pros and cons need to be weighed and the city needs to do what’s best for them.
“There’s a volunteer fire department on Bedford Road and it works great. They have plenty of volunteers and are always organizing events and fundraisers,” she said. “But that system might not work here. The differences between professionals and volunteers will need to be looked at and see if that could work for here.”
City resident Mark Dawson agreed that all things need to be taken in for consideration.
“I know there are several volunteer departments in the area that are fairly decent, but I know that their responses can vary depending on the time of day and the need,” Dawson said. “And since our fire department is paid, it’s just nice knowing they’re there and on the clock.”
City Administrator Jeff Repp said he has not heard any proposals from the fire or police departments, but they are due today. Fire Chief William Herbaugh was not available Thursday.
The city has set up a link on its Web site, www.ci.cumberland.md.us, to take public suggestions or comments on the budget situation.
“The mayor and City Council have requested that the public have an opportunity to provide input into their decision process as they begin examining ways to reduce the city’s $17.6 million general fund by $1.33 million,” Repp said in a Thursday press release. “The public is being invited to submit suggestions online at the city’s Web site or writing letters to the attention of the City Clerk at City Hall.” The deadline for these suggestions is Oct. 15.
Repp he will begin going over staff reports and if he is in a position to address recommendations to the mayor and council adequately, he will do so at the Sept. 29 city meeting.
Copyright 2009