In just about all cases, the position of Fire Chief is a political appointment and is served at the pleasure of the city council or county board, or some such elected body. In many areas the chief of an all-volunteer FD is also either appointed or approved by the elected officials. So I can understand why some fire chiefs are afraid of contradicting their “boss.” They’re afraid for their job, pure and simple.
But there are some chiefs who are secure enough in their positions that they are more willing to be honest with both the governing board and their citizens, so they will be up front with them on things like minimum-manning, budgeting issues and things like professional certifications. These are the chiefs that I admire. Lay it out. Tell the mayor, “Look, if you do this…. then that is going to happen. Close a firehouse, increase your fire losses.” Let the voters know the consequences of cost-cutting actions. Then, if they decide to take the measures anyway, he’ll follow their direction and do it because that’s his job. But the decision has been made with the knowledge of the possible results. Don’t be a simpering “Yes-man” all the time.
Speaking of being up front, how about this tack? Let’s start pointing out – publicly – just what the fire and EMS departments are already doing to save money. For instance, most paid departments are on a 3-platoon system. That works out to be a 56-hour work week. If those FF’s and medics were on a standard 40- or 42-hour week, then the city/county would have to hire an entire 4th platoon. How much would that cost? HOW ABOUT TELLING THEM?
I would say, “Mr. Mayor, we are already sacrificing by working 16 hours a week more than all those people who populate city hall. Why aren’t they working a longer week? How about bumping them up to 45 or 48 hours a week? Then you could cut their agency’s roster.” In other words, shift the publicity spotlight away from the scapegoats (your FF’s and medics) and get it shining on the real budget-busters.
And while we’re at it, how about this? Let’s drop a forceful reminder that the FRD is, and has been, saving hundreds of thousands (millions, in some places) of dollars by doing our own housecleaning and vehicle maintenance. How much money is spent on hiring cleaning crews to show up at city hall every night just to vacuum the floors and clean the bathrooms? We’re already doing that stuff, and then some. How much money is spent running the city vehicles and police cars through a commercial car wash? We’re already doing that stuff, too. You want to save some money, Mr. Mayor? How about requiring those desk jockeys in city hall to come in an hour early every day to vacuum their own offices and clean the toilets?
Let’s ask the question, why aren’t the other agencies doing what we are already doing to save money? And ask it publicly. What do you think?
We’d better start saving more money right now and get this equipment checked out. Nobody else is going to do it for us. I’ll go start the coffee. I’ve already cleaned out the Bunn-O-Matic.
