Budget Cuts and Priorities
THE MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, FIRE DEPARTMENT is bracing for a major reduction-in-force expected to happen soon. KMSP-TV is reporting:
It began when the Minneapolis fire chief sent out email to all firefighters, telling them to be prepared for layoffs after the city told the department it will need to cut $1.45 million from it's budget.
Fire officials say that would be the equivalent of at least 50 positions.
The Minneapolis Fire Department. had nearly 500 firefighters in the late 70s. Now, it's down to 405. Soon, that number will drop to 355 when the cuts kick in.
Layoffs of 34 firefighters in 2003 triggered this
protest by uniformed members (MPR photo)
The Mayor claims that the city-wide budget cuts are necessary because their "state aid" has been reduced by $23 million. There is no mention on how this will affect the fire department's controversial "board-up" policy where uniformed firefighters are used as carpenters to board up vacant buildings, then trim out and paint the wood. (See FossilMedic's April 30 report on this fiasco HERE.)
KMSP-TV also filed this video report:
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Also on FireGeezer…
- Minneapolis Decimates FD. Local’s Pres. Fires Back – August 22, 2011
- Minneapolis Fire Chief Alex Jackson to Retire – January 5, 2012
- Heat’s On in Minneapolis – August 30, 2011
- Save Money – Play Football (Commentary) – October 6, 2011
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