STAMFORD, Conn. Residents may have to come up with an additional $13 million a year if the Stamford Volunteer Fire Department is created, a statement from the citys firefighters said.
This agreement proves that the mayors plan is both a public safety and financial disaster for the taxpayers of Stamford, said Brendan Keatley, president of the Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association. The more details that are made public, the worse it looks.
Mayor Michael Pavias proposal letter said the volunteer department would need about $8.65 million plus other operating and personnel costs, the statement said. The union believes an additional $4 million would be needed.
The additional costs include: at least $1 million per year for the paid firefighters now in the Long Ridge Fire Company and about $1.7 million annually for personnel and equipment at the city's 9-1-1 call center plus their workers' compensation insurance, the statement said.
Stamford Fire & Rescue was allotted about $41 million in the citys budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year. The city allotted just less than $21 million for salaries and another $3.38 million in overtime.
Stamfords Volunteer Fire Department was formed June 4 when the Long Ridge, Belltown and Turn of River volunteer fire departments merged. The Springdale Fire Department has not joined the volunteer department.
The plan would essentially split the city in two, with Stamford Fire & Rescue covering downtown Stamford and the volunteer department covering North Stamford.
In June, Keatley described the reorganization plan as unsafe, saying there would be too few firefighters on duty in the volunteer houses. The plan would have four to 10 fewer career firefighters able to respond, whereas Stamford Fire & Rescue sends 22 firefighters to each call, he said.
The plan is expected to be approved and implemented by late fall, the mayor has said.
Which plan do you believe makes the city safe from fires? Why? Share your thoughts and ideas below or send them to reporter Anthony Buzzeo, [email protected].
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