December 27th
Quint 1 (Church Hill) CLOSED for 24 hrs.Quint 13 (Church Hill) CLOSED for 24 hrs.
The staffing problem
Since the beginning of the 2009 - 2010 fiscal year, the Richmond Fire Department budget has experienced cuts that directly impact the amount of fire protection available on a daily basis to the City of Richmond. This blog is to serve as a place where information can be found regarding where daily cuts are occurring.
Currently, the fire department operates 20 Quint companies and 3 Rescue companies out of 20 stations throughout the city. Each Quint company (a combination fire engine and ladder truck) is normally staffed with 4 Firefighter/EMT's (the national standard for minimum staffing of a fire company) and Rescue companies with 5 Firefighter/EMT's. Due to cuts to the departments overtime budget, when staffing levels on a daily basis decrease due to sick time, vacation leave or other occurrences, the department is not hiring overtime at a level to maintain full staffing. As a result, the department selects different companies, usually Quints 1, 10, and 13, and places them out of service for the shift depending on staffing level on that day. These companies are chosen because they are housed along with one of the three Rescue companies. However, a Rescue company does not extinguish fires or have an aerial ladder on their apparatus. Fewer companies are able to respond, and will be traveling a greater distance to emergencies. As a result, fire protection throughout the city is greatly diminished, placing both the citizens and firefighters at a greater risk.
Currently, the fire department operates 20 Quint companies and 3 Rescue companies out of 20 stations throughout the city. Each Quint company (a combination fire engine and ladder truck) is normally staffed with 4 Firefighter/EMT's (the national standard for minimum staffing of a fire company) and Rescue companies with 5 Firefighter/EMT's. Due to cuts to the departments overtime budget, when staffing levels on a daily basis decrease due to sick time, vacation leave or other occurrences, the department is not hiring overtime at a level to maintain full staffing. As a result, the department selects different companies, usually Quints 1, 10, and 13, and places them out of service for the shift depending on staffing level on that day. These companies are chosen because they are housed along with one of the three Rescue companies. However, a Rescue company does not extinguish fires or have an aerial ladder on their apparatus. Fewer companies are able to respond, and will be traveling a greater distance to emergencies. As a result, fire protection throughout the city is greatly diminished, placing both the citizens and firefighters at a greater risk.
What can I do to help?
Contact your council person and mayor and let them know that you want the fire protection that you deserve and need. Tell them that funding cuts to the fire department are unacceptable!
Links are provided to the left with contact information.
Below daily closures of fire companies will be posted as they occur.
Links are provided to the left with contact information.
Below daily closures of fire companies will be posted as they occur.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
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