The Price of Service Cuts: Fewer Firefighters in Harrisburg Will Likely Mean Slower Response Times
July 21, 2009
Deep cuts to public services are being considered in Harrisburg as lawmakers and the Governor work to resolve the budget crisis. PBPC is tracking news reports on the potential impact of these cuts on local communities across Pennsylvania.
Today, we look at how a Senate-passed budget finds savings in reducing an already slim workforce of firefighters in Harrisburg.
The Patriot-News reported on July 21 that a $1.2 million reduction in the Harrisburg fire protection budget, a 15% fire budget cut, could mean layoffs of more than a dozen firefighters and the closing of at least one of the city’s fire stations.
More information about how proposed cuts will hurt Pennsylvanians can be found at PBPC's 30 Ways in 30 Days Service Cuts Will Hurt Pennsylvanians, which examines proposed cuts to public education, college costs, hospitals, children's health care, senior services, state police patrols, and agricultural programs, among other areas. Return to the Price of Service Cuts.
Read the Patriot-News article below.
For Harrisburg, GOP budget bill could mean fewer firefighters and loss of station
Dan Miller
July 21, 2009
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2009/07/for_harrisburg_gop_budget_bill.html
The state budget proposed by Senate Republicans would eliminate $1.2 million that Harrisburg receives each year for providing fire protection at the Capitol complex. Losing the money would have a significant impact, city spokesman Matthew Coulter said. The money accounts for more than 15 percent of the city's annual $9.1 million fire budget, covering the salary and benefits of more than a dozen firefighters, he said.
"Eliminating those funds could make layoffs imminent and possibly result in the closing of at least one of the city's fire stations," Coulter said. "It also creates the potential for slower response times to fires elsewhere in the city, putting others at increased risk."
He wouldn't say which fire station could face closure.
Neither Mayor Stephen R. Reed nor Fire Chief Daniel Soulier could be reached for comment.
Eric Jenkins, president of Harrisburg Local 428 of the International Association of Firefighters, said any layoffs would affect the entire city and not just the Capitol complex.
The 2009 city fire budget authorizes 93 positions, but Jenkins said about 69 firefighters are available to respond to incidents, and the department needs closer to 100. As many as 30 firefighters are eligible to retire in 2012.
"We are short-staffed now" without state budget cuts costing more positions, Jenkins said. "Any further cuts in manpower could result in a very serious situation."
