Members of the Stamford Professional Firefighters Association gathered at an outdoor rally across from the Government Center Thursday afternoon to protest Mayor Michael Pavia's fire protection plan. The protesters also introduced a new vehicle whose sole purpose is to implore city residents to support their cause.
The vehicle is a 22-foot-long billboard truck carrying a 14-foot-high board that reads, in part, "Stop the Stamford Fire Tax!!!!" Black and white letters over a red background proclaim the mayor's plan will create "Millions in New Taxes Citywide," and decrease fire service and the level of public safety. The truck also urges residents to "voice your concerns" to the mayor. The truck will be on the road, traveling eight hours a day throughout Stamford, until Aug. 8.
"Stop taxing the residents of Stamford for a plan that makes no economic or public safety sense," said Brendan Keatley, president of Local 786.
Pavia is seeking to create a single unified volunteer fire force, the Stamford Volunteer Fire Dept. It would be one of two forces serving the city. The other would be Stamford Fire and Rescue. Pavia also would create a Stamford Fire Taxing District. Stamford is now divided into six volunteer districts, each with its own department, chief and operating standards. Pavia hopes unifying the volunteer units will eliminate such drawbacks of the current system as inconsistent service and unpredictable budgets.
Shortly after the protest, Pavia presented his plan at a Thursday evening meeting of the Board of Representatives' Public Safety & Health Committee. Among his supporters was Bobby Valentine, the former Major League player and Manager who chaired the task force that helped develop the mayor's plan. Firefighters also attended the meeting, which was not open to public comment.
Pavia said there have been "several misconceptions" about the plan which, he said, would not require layoffs and which "shifts the cost center of providing services."
Firefighter Nick Tamburro said he disagreed with the plan, and Local 786 Vice President David Davis also was unaccepting. "Why have two structures? We can have one," Davis said.
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