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Pennsylvania Department Loses Engine to Budget Cuts
JON MEYER
WNEP
Reprinted with Permission
As of Monday fewer firefighters will be responding to calls in Dunmore and one less fire engine will be going to the scene. The Lackawanna County community has been struggling with debt and warned a month ago cuts would be coming.
In January, council passed a 2010 budget that called for a property tax increase and cuts in borough services.
Firefighters said one of those cuts started Monday. One of Dunmore's three trucks is off the streets and fewer firefighters are on the job.
The engine now sits parked in a garage, out of use.
"It's a scary thought, a scary thought for anyone who is working," said firefighters union president Dominick Rinaldi. He added the changes will effect responses to fires.
He said only two trucks will be responding instead of three. He also explained in most cases only three paid firefighters will be responding instead of five.
Rinaldi said that makes the job toughest when first getting on the scene, when one firefighter hooks up to the hydrant and another runs the ladder truck.
"If you're in a house, how are we supposed to get to you? How am I supposed to throw a ladder by myself, kick in a door and do a search pull a hose in?" Rinaldi asked.
"If your house is on fire and they can't get to you because of the equipment, that's a serious situation," said Tom McHugh of Dunmore.
Taxpayers who were asked don't like the idea of cuts to the fire department but the fire department's fate could be in their hands.
Borough council proposes a referendum on the May ballot asking voters to approve a tax to pay for the fire department.
"Firemen and police protection, you have to have money for that. You have to find a way to cut something else," said Joe Pettinato of Dunmore.
With safety at fires in mind, the firefighters said they are trying to work with council to come up with a solution.
"We have been making suggestions right along and trying to help where we could, but this is where we wound up today," Rinaldi added.
Calls made to members of council Monday were not returned.
The proposed referendum tax for the fire department would be on top of the other tax increase proposed for the borough.
Copyright © 2010, WNEP-TV
WNEP
Reprinted with Permission
As of Monday fewer firefighters will be responding to calls in Dunmore and one less fire engine will be going to the scene. The Lackawanna County community has been struggling with debt and warned a month ago cuts would be coming.
Firefighters said one of those cuts started Monday. One of Dunmore's three trucks is off the streets and fewer firefighters are on the job.
The engine now sits parked in a garage, out of use.
"It's a scary thought, a scary thought for anyone who is working," said firefighters union president Dominick Rinaldi. He added the changes will effect responses to fires.
He said only two trucks will be responding instead of three. He also explained in most cases only three paid firefighters will be responding instead of five.
Rinaldi said that makes the job toughest when first getting on the scene, when one firefighter hooks up to the hydrant and another runs the ladder truck.
"If you're in a house, how are we supposed to get to you? How am I supposed to throw a ladder by myself, kick in a door and do a search pull a hose in?" Rinaldi asked.
"If your house is on fire and they can't get to you because of the equipment, that's a serious situation," said Tom McHugh of Dunmore.
Taxpayers who were asked don't like the idea of cuts to the fire department but the fire department's fate could be in their hands.
Borough council proposes a referendum on the May ballot asking voters to approve a tax to pay for the fire department.
"Firemen and police protection, you have to have money for that. You have to find a way to cut something else," said Joe Pettinato of Dunmore.
With safety at fires in mind, the firefighters said they are trying to work with council to come up with a solution.
"We have been making suggestions right along and trying to help where we could, but this is where we wound up today," Rinaldi added.
Calls made to members of council Monday were not returned.
The proposed referendum tax for the fire department would be on top of the other tax increase proposed for the borough.
Copyright © 2010, WNEP-TV
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Joe Workman on
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I am not a big fan of raising taxes but if it what it takes to keep everyone a little safer during an emergency than I would have to suck it up and say do it because it will help brother firefighters stay safe
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