Detroit's "Firehouse Roulette" Fails Again

LAST THURSDAY DETROIT, MICHIGAN, HAD TWO FIRE FATALITIES in two separate fires on that same day. While they were in separate parts of the city, they both had one thing in common: The nearest engine company to each fire was closed that day due to lack of staffing.

[photopress:detroit_engine_47__detFFnet.jpg,full,centered]
Engine 47 – closed last Thursday
www.detroitfirefighters.net image

Overall, the FD’s “firehouse roulette” was operating on that day with 27% of the department’s fleet either out of service or running while not properly operational (such as eight ladder trucks “in service” even though the aerials won’t raise).

This has been an ongoing problem in the DFD for several years now, especially the matter of vehicle maintenance. We have mentioned previously that the only firehouse in the city that is fully functional is the airport station and that is because Federal law requires it. At one point last year, more than half the ambulance fleet was parked due to maintenance reasons because the city would not repair them.

Bill McGraw of the Detroit Free Press has a biting column in today’s paper that addresses this disgraceful operation. While recounting the fateful events of last week, he elicited from the beleaguered mayor’s chief spokesman the statement that if the (firefighters) union cares so much about safety, “Why don’t they take fewer days off?”

That’s what they’re working with, folks. Read the entire article HERE. Also, be sure to read McGraw’s other column from this week on the same topic HERE.

Update: Apparently the staffing cuts have affected the public relations department, too. The FD’s official WEBSITE still has the stock Christmas tree safety message on the front page. (seriously, now…. are the citizens really so dumb that they need to be told to “Trim the lower branches to avoid eye injuries to small children.” ?) The overall contempt this city administration has for its citizens is reprehensible.

For a more competently run website and to learn more about the DFD go to the Detroit Fire Fighters WEBSITE.

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J B

Well it happened again in Detroit overnight 5/11/08.

A five yearr old child died because the closest firehouses were closed and firefighters had to wait for othere units to arrive on the scene...
What a shame....

Art

I worked for the DFD for 34 years,I retired because I couldn't deal any longer with all the incompetent people,from the mayor down to the Chief of Department.You can't get anything repaired around the the firehouse from the city,if it wasn't for the guys at the firehouses,they would have been condemned years ago.The repair shop for the rigs are a joke,you would be better off taking your rig to midas muffler shop.Fire officers are being sued when their rigs won't pump,or the aerial ladder won't raise,you think downtown cares?Give another 9 million away!Oh yeah,you can't even get toilet paper or cleaning supplies,the poor firefighters have to buy it,if they want a clean firehouse.Fire gear,its a disgrace to have to use someone else's used gear.As far as the firefighters in Detroit,there isn't a more dedicated, braver,tougher,and most courageous guys that walk this Planet!

the dawg

"if the (firefighters) union cares so much about safety, “Why don’t they take fewer days off?”

What crock of you know what that statement is. In all actuallity sick time is not the problem. The percentage of firefighters off sick is way below the average for the rest of the city workers. So it's a hollow argument.

The administration in its infinate wisdom decided that overtime should be cut dramatically because some firefighters (officer's don't get O.T.) were making an extra couple thousand a year and the admin didn't like that. Never mind that the firefighters haven't had a raise in almost 5 years. The city consistently drags out contract negotiations for years beyond the end of any contract. Detroit firefghters are actually one of the lowest paid in the entire state. The city hasn't hired in over 4 years, causing even more shortages in staffing to cover 100's of retirements since the last class was hired. If a new hired firefighter in Detroit has a wife and 2 kids, they actually qualify for food stamps. No wonder moral is so low. Every study that has been done over the last 25 years has stated when a fire department goes from 4 personnel to 3, injury rates rise on average 46%, thus cutting available staffing even further with those firefighters off duty injured.

Even with low moral, the firefighters will continue do their absolute best to protect the citizens. It seems the city doesn't have the same attitude. After serving for 33 years I finally realized I was fed up and retired. I just hope the firefighters I left behind stay safe as well as the citizens but with the city's attitude, the outlook is bleak for the citizens of Detroit.