The irony and the issue. This is a perfect example to open state discussions to find out how to equalize public safety and public service.
Hamtramck fire spurs warning of cuts
Rescue used to point out staff reductions will hurt such efforts
Hamtramck — The rescue of four women and two children in a Monday morning fire came just hours before the Fire Department's union was to meet with city officials to discuss possible concessions to help the city avoid a $3.5 million budget deficit by 2013.
The blaze started in a garage about 3:30 a.m., and six victims were stranded on the second floor after a staircase became engulfed in flames, according to Hamtramck Fire Chief Paul Wilk.
There were no injuries in the fire at the home on the 2100 block of Trowbridge Street, but officials used the rescue to point out that any reduction in staff would compromise rescue efforts.
The city is asking the Fire Department to lay off four firefighters and freeze two positions.
The city also wants to turn the department's dispatch position into a civilian position, which would handle calls for police and fire.
"We were spread pretty thin even showing up with six (firefighters). ... It's not an easy task, especially when two guys are dealing with water, so we were really working with four," said Lt. Bill Diamond, who is also president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 750.
The city reached a tentative agreement for concessions with the two Police Department unions late Friday and met again Monday afternoon.
Depending on the outcome of those negotiations, Diamond said his union would consider negotiations among firefighters.
Monday morning's rescue, Diamond said, was a key example of "why we refuse anything that's going to put the firefighters or the public at risk."
A minimum of six firefighters are assigned to each shift, and under normal circumstances all six should respond to fires, Diamond said.
Rescue efforts are affected during fires if firefighters are called to other emergencies or if a specific fire is difficult to knock out, as was the case Monday morning.
Officials say the Police Department was asked to cut $1.8 million from its budget; about $1 million was sought from firefighters. Diamond said the department agreed to open up its contract for cuts less than a year ago.
"It's almost like we've been negotiating on a contract that has been valid for the last three years," Diamond said.
Mayor Karen Majewski said elected officials are thankful for the sacrifices made by the Fire Department but said the city needs to cut more spending.The fire is under investigation.
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