Sep 16, 2008 11:16 pm US/Eastern
Cutbacks On The Way For Balt. Co. Fire Department
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Cutbacks are on the way for the Baltimore County Fire Department.
CBS
Cutbacks are on the way for the Baltimore County Fire Department.
Kelly McPherson breaks down the changes.
It's not as bad as some had thought these cuts would be, but it's still a sign of the times. Agencies are starting early in the fiscal year to make ends meet in a faltering economy.
Baltimore County firefighters will not be called in for overtime as in years past. Instead, workers at the Public Safety Building trained in emergency services will cover for sick or vacationing firefighters.
"We would rather pick up the slack here at headquarters in the support division and make sure that we have that full complement of personnel out in the field," said Elise Armacost, spokesperson for the Baltimore County Fire Department.
Other internal changes will trim down expenses, like cutting down the travel budget and not contracting for services like speakers.
There had been rumors that there would be changes in station staffing. The county says that is not part of these cutbacks. The public shouldn't notice a change in services for now.
"If Baltimore County is in an economic crunch, we want to work with the administration. However, we want to make sure the safety of our members and the citizens is the number one priority," said Michael Day with the Professional Firefighters Association.
"The thing you'd worry about would be what's going to happen with reduced office personnel, in terms of long term. But in the short term, it's probably reasonable," said taxpayer Bill Goldiner.
Other cuts could be made. The county and the union agree to be in communication about if more drastic changes need to happen to save taxpayer dollars.
The following is a joint statement by Fire Chief John Hohman and the Executive Board of the Baltimore County Professional Fire Fighters Association, Local 1311, regarding departmental budget issues:
"Fire Chief John Hohman and other Fire Department leaders met this afternoon with the Executive Board of the Baltimore County Professional Fire Fighters Association, Local 1311, to discuss a safe reduction in expenses during this difficult economy. After this constructive meeting, department and union leaders agree that they should take a proactive approach, working together now to find savings in areas that do not affect our service to the citizens of Baltimore County. As always, public safety is our number one priority.
"The Union and the Department have identified a number of internal cost-saving measures. These measures do not involve any reduction in fire or EMS services. The steps the Department and the Union agreed on today comply with the current Memorandum of Understanding with Local 1311.
"These changes will not affect the safety of our fire and EMS personnel, nor will they affect the Department's ability to protect Baltimore County residents. Both the Fire Department and Local 1311 agree that safeguarding the public welfare is paramount."
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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