WTFX
Reprinted with Permission

PHILADELPHIA - We're following the aftermath of two back to back massive fires that erupted overnight.


Nearby homes were evacuated when a Kensington warehouse fire could not be contained by firefighters.

But now many are asking are the firehouse "rolling brownouts" to blame for the time it took firefighters to gain control.

Fox 29's Steve Keeley talked with Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, who said firefighters "should not ever put fear in the hearts of our public unnecessarily."

The union says it's out warning city residents and officials that the city's plan to temporarily close an average of three firehouses a day hoping to save close to $400 million a year on overtime will affect saving lives.

The firefighters' union leadership did not wait for the intense flames to even die down Monday night before unleashing some intense criticism of the 10-week-old plan from Mayor Michael Nutter's administration.

Tom Callahan, a spokesman for International Association of Firefighters Local 22, said, "The city of Philadelphia and the fire department are calling in off-duty personnel because the city of Philadelphia is not protected.

Union President Bill Gault said, "We've been severely understaffed, and we've been waiting for this to happen."

Gault said, "It scares me to death. It scares me for me, and it scares me for the families, and it scares me for the men and women I'm sworn to protect."

But Ayers said Tuesday morning, "This was under control in both situations. Our men and women did a good job, and I want the public to know they did a good job."

The fire commissioner said no area will ever be completely unprotected but does say there will be some areas that have temporarily longer response times when so many are on so big a fire, like last night's.

"We used to have these all of the time, and we had the same situation," Ayers said. "Of course there were less companies in the system since a couple of years ago, but we've adapted to that. Also, there are less fires. Steve, there are less fires. There's less fire deaths. We are absolutely doing things correctly. We're moving in the right direction."

While no one is claiming that another Monday nights that proved fatal on 17th Street in North Philadelphia could have been prevented if all firehouses were fully staffed, the union says it's only a matter of time before a death can be blamed on these rolling brownouts.

They contend that the Nutter administration continues to put saving money ahead of saving lives.

"What needs to be done is for them to find this goofy amount of money, put the companies back in service, and stop this rolling the dice with the brownouts," Gault said.

Ayers, on the other hand, told Fox 29 News he would never come to work at headquarters knowing that anybody who lives, works or visits the city would have their life in danger because of any kind of plan to save money with these rolling brownouts.

Ayers and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Everett Gillison testified a week ago that the fire department has always had at least temporary firehouse shutdowns for times when crews were either training somewhere or on leave. So Ayers says this is nothing new.