In a 5-2 vote, the Reno City Council on Wednesday authorized laying off 35 firefighters despite pleas from the fire union and homeowners to preserve the jobs.
The layoffs became necessary after the city lost a federal grant that was to fund 50 firefighters next year. City staff found enough money to retain 15 of those jobs, largely by paying off a bond used to purchase city hall. Funds used to make those bond payments will now pay the salaries of those 15 positions.
But available city funds still fell short, meaning 35 firefighters will lose their jobs on July 1.
Councilman Dwight Dortch, who made the motion to proceed with the layoffs, said firefighters are overpaid and that the union should agree to salary concessions in order to save more jobs.
"We're in negotiations again and it's in your hands," Dortch said to Reno Fire Fighters Local 731 representatives. "The average pay for the firefighters in this city is $129,000."
A Reno Gazette-Journal analysis of Reno firefighter compensation shows the average firefighter made $122,000 in salary and benefits last year.
Councilwoman Hillary Schieve, who opposed the layoffs with Councilman Oscar Delgado, said Dortch wouldn't believe that compensation was too high if he was the one needing help.
"You can't put a price on a life," she said. "If it's your life or your family, you'll think differently."
Fire Chief Michael Hernandez warned that the city is "cutting our system to the deck, the basement." He said response time will increase, particularly in north Reno, Somersett and Skyline Boulevard areas, where stations will be closed.
Councilwoman Jenny Brekhus asked a blunt question of the fire chief.
"With this reduction, will the citizens of Reno be safe?" she said.
"That's a difficult question," Hernadez answered.
Schieve said she would like to see money used to pay a $30 million settlement with the developers of the Aces Ballpark diverted to funding fire positions. The city is budgeted to pay $850,000 to the ballpark developers next year, but $750,000 is payment on a loan for relocating the fire station.
Brekhus questioned whether it was necessary for the city to hire four new police officers when it was laying off firefighters.
Earlier Wednesday, Reno Fire Fighters Local 731 held a press conference to urge the City Council to "keep its promise" to keep public safety as a top priority.
"I want them to reconsider any unnecessary expense," union president Dennis Jacobsen said. "They are using a scorched earth approach." http://www.rgj.com/story/news/politics/2014/04/30/reno-city-council-votes-lay-firefighters/8534113/
Check this out. No real fires, but Jim Ireton and Jake Day believe everything Richard "Fatso" Hopeless says and want to pay for over 60 paid firemen. They want to extend the Federal fire grant that paid for 12 additional firemen for 2 years which is going to expire soon. Hopeless(I refuse to call him chief because he wouldn't make a pimple on a real fire chiefs butt)claims they can limit any fire to one room only, but in reality they let an entire building burn down in their own back yard and it was a small building at that. They saw it burning and responded way before it was dispatched and they still let it burn down. Proves the paid firemen are almost worthless and the volunteer firemen in the County can handle the real fire calls. Get rid of the paid firemen and let the volunteers handle the fire calls. Make EMS a separate department and you will find EMS is actually self sufficient.
There is a city election coming up soon and this will be a litmus test for candidates. I won't vote for any candidate who thinks it's ok to constantly throw hard earned money at the Salisbury Fire Department.
Anon 2:02am. Your constant diatribe falls on deaf ears here. You appear to be the type of person that likes to talk in this case type to see themselves type. You much would much rather have someone else do your dirty work for you. IF YOU ARE SO UPSET WITH HOW THE SFD IS MANAGED AND DISLIKE OF THE SITTING COUNCIL THEN PLEASE I imploe you to start going to city council meetings and work sessions so that your concerns are on record. Until then nothing changes it will remain the same.
Anonymous said... Anon 2:02am. Your constant diatribe falls on deaf ears here. You appear to be the type of person that likes to talk in this case type to see themselves type. You much would much rather have someone else do your dirty work for you. IF YOU ARE SO UPSET WITH HOW THE SFD IS MANAGED AND DISLIKE OF THE SITTING COUNCIL THEN PLEASE I imploe you to start going to city council meetings and work sessions so that your concerns are on record. Until then nothing changes it will remain the same.
May 3, 2014 at 2:02 PM
So you are ok with the way the SFD is like the sitting city council? Than it is obvious you are not a tax payer and more than likely a paid fireman trying to justify your job.
Reno city council votes to layoff 35 firefighters
ReplyDeleteIn a 5-2 vote, the Reno City Council on Wednesday authorized laying off 35 firefighters despite pleas from the fire union and homeowners to preserve the jobs.
The layoffs became necessary after the city lost a federal grant that was to fund 50 firefighters next year. City staff found enough money to retain 15 of those jobs, largely by paying off a bond used to purchase city hall. Funds used to make those bond payments will now pay the salaries of those 15 positions.
But available city funds still fell short, meaning 35 firefighters will lose their jobs on July 1.
Councilman Dwight Dortch, who made the motion to proceed with the layoffs, said firefighters are overpaid and that the union should agree to salary concessions in order to save more jobs.
"We're in negotiations again and it's in your hands," Dortch said to Reno Fire Fighters Local 731 representatives. "The average pay for the firefighters in this city is $129,000."
A Reno Gazette-Journal analysis of Reno firefighter compensation shows the average firefighter made $122,000 in salary and benefits last year.
Councilwoman Hillary Schieve, who opposed the layoffs with Councilman Oscar Delgado, said Dortch wouldn't believe that compensation was too high if he was the one needing help.
"You can't put a price on a life," she said. "If it's your life or your family, you'll think differently."
Fire Chief Michael Hernandez warned that the city is "cutting our system to the deck, the basement." He said response time will increase, particularly in north Reno, Somersett and Skyline Boulevard areas, where stations will be closed.
Councilwoman Jenny Brekhus asked a blunt question of the fire chief.
"With this reduction, will the citizens of Reno be safe?" she said.
"That's a difficult question," Hernadez answered.
Schieve said she would like to see money used to pay a $30 million settlement with the developers of the Aces Ballpark diverted to funding fire positions. The city is budgeted to pay $850,000 to the ballpark developers next year, but $750,000 is payment on a loan for relocating the fire station.
Brekhus questioned whether it was necessary for the city to hire four new police officers when it was laying off firefighters.
Earlier Wednesday, Reno Fire Fighters Local 731 held a press conference to urge the City Council to "keep its promise" to keep public safety as a top priority.
"I want them to reconsider any unnecessary expense," union president Dennis Jacobsen said. "They are using a scorched earth approach."
http://www.rgj.com/story/news/politics/2014/04/30/reno-city-council-votes-lay-firefighters/8534113/
Joe you should make the 1:40 PM post an article since it is just like the situation in Salisbury.
ReplyDeleteThose firefighters need to know what a real salary is and learn to deal with it. And our guys need to realize we can't afford certain things.
ReplyDeleteCheck this out. No real fires, but Jim Ireton and Jake Day believe everything Richard "Fatso" Hopeless says and want to pay for over 60 paid firemen. They want to extend the Federal fire grant that paid for 12 additional firemen for 2 years which is going to expire soon. Hopeless(I refuse to call him chief because he wouldn't make a pimple on a real fire chiefs butt)claims they can limit any fire to one room only, but in reality they let an entire building burn down in their own back yard and it was a small building at that. They saw it burning and responded way before it was dispatched and they still let it burn down. Proves the paid firemen are almost worthless and the volunteer firemen in the County can handle the real fire calls. Get rid of the paid firemen and let the volunteers handle the fire calls. Make EMS a separate department and you will find EMS is actually self sufficient.
ReplyDeleteThere is a city election coming up soon and this will be a litmus test for candidates. I won't vote for any candidate who thinks it's ok to constantly throw hard earned money at the Salisbury Fire Department.
Anon 2:02am.
ReplyDeleteYour constant diatribe falls on deaf ears here. You appear to be the type of person that likes to talk in this case type to see themselves type. You much would much rather have someone else do your dirty work for you. IF YOU ARE SO UPSET WITH HOW THE SFD IS MANAGED AND DISLIKE OF THE SITTING COUNCIL THEN PLEASE I imploe you to start going to city council meetings and work sessions so that your concerns are on record. Until then nothing changes it will remain the same.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteAnon 2:02am.
Your constant diatribe falls on deaf ears here. You appear to be the type of person that likes to talk in this case type to see themselves type. You much would much rather have someone else do your dirty work for you. IF YOU ARE SO UPSET WITH HOW THE SFD IS MANAGED AND DISLIKE OF THE SITTING COUNCIL THEN PLEASE I imploe you to start going to city council meetings and work sessions so that your concerns are on record. Until then nothing changes it will remain the same.
May 3, 2014 at 2:02 PM
So you are ok with the way the SFD is like the sitting city council? Than it is obvious you are not a tax payer and more than likely a paid fireman trying to justify your job.