WESTMINSTER : Anger Aired in Cuts to Fire Department

Residents and firefighters aired their fears and grievances against the Financial Review Committee’s recommendation to lop $1.9 million from the Fire Department’s budget at this week’s City Council meeting.

In its review of the Fire Department, the committee found that the department spent more than $1 million in overtime for the 68 employees and recommended that it almost completely eliminate overtime and compensatory time off for the employees. The report also called for realigning firefighters on engine companies and trucks.

Residents expressed their concerns that the cuts would lead to diminished safety. “We need the Fire Department more than we need street sweepers,” said resident Howard Jones. “Don’t skimp on our safety.”

The 10-member, council-appointed committee advises the council on budget and financial policies and reviews city operations.

Before the meeting, firefighters passed out blue leaflets stating that if the proposed cuts were adopted, paramedic services would be eliminated and firetruck services would be cut in half.

“This is unconscionable garbage,” said Mayor Charles V. Smith, referring to the leaflets, as the meeting began. “We are trying to increase paramedics, and in no way would we endanger any lives in making our decisions.”

Firefighters have attacked the council and the committee for the report. The Fire Department has submitted its own 13-page report, rebutting the committee’s findings.

“We have been taking (the committee’s report) page by page and can prove everything in there is a lie,” said Paul Gilbrook, president of the Westminster Fire Fighters Local 2425. The committee, whose members say they spent dozens of hours reviewing city documents for the final report, held by its findings.

“We’re not here to cut services,” said committee member Diana Zimmer. “We look at the departments like a business, and as a business, the Fire Department is not functioning. We’ve researched many cities, and our plan holds. It’s unfortunate they have to resort to scare tactics.”

In response to the Fire Department’s reaction, the committee made additional recommendations to the council.

They include: prohibiting the department from using city facilities to gather public support against committee recommendations or for political activities; hiring an internal auditor for the department; and soliciting bids from private fire, paramedic and ambulance services.

The city is facing a $3-million deficit, and the council, with help from the committee, is examining each department in an effort to balance the budget.

The final public hearing for the budget will be at the council meeting on July 13, at 7:30 p.m.