Danville Firefighters, along with their families and concerned citizens, packed the Danville City Council Chambers last night to discuss the proposed layoff of 16 firemen. Assistant Chief, Tom Pruitt, said that the firefighters have offered several other options that the city has not looked at including a Blue Ribbon Committee who wanted to look at ambulances.
‘’Let’s look at starting an ambulance. – There’s no money to be made in ambulances. – Really, because there’s two of ‘em running in Danville now,’’ noted Pruitt. ‘’I got on the internet day before yesterday – I did research, research, research – found not one city that took over the ambulance service that said it’s a loser. It’s a loser, we’re going to get rid of it – it doesn’t make money. Every one that took it over is making money, but we can’t even get a feasibility study done for somebody to come in and say ‘yow, that’s a money-maker.’’
Pruitt also said Tier 2 firefighters who would be laid off would not only cost the city more money in overtime costs, but would also eliminate Danville’s HAZMAT team.
The City Council last night approved increasing the public safety pension fee to $8 a month for most residents. The additional revenue could reduce the number of firefighters who might lose their jobs. Mayor Scott Eisenhauer cast the deciding vote on the public safety pension fee hike when the council split on the issue.
Concerned citizen, Jack Oregon, received roaring applause after he addressed the city council last night.
‘’I would like to remind you that your number one job is not a new garbage truck. It’s not some beautification program. It’s the lives and the safety of our citizens,’’ said Oregon.
Alderman, Lloyd Randle, said this discussion may have gone a different direction if a prior vote to close the number 3 fire station on Griffin Street had failed. And Randle said he delivered that message to the president of the firefighters local.
‘’We deliberated over and over about whether or not to close that doggone fire station. And I told him that I called him to apologize for my vote for that because it was premature. Had we waited on the (arbitrator’s) ruling, got the ruling, we probably would be having a little bit different discussion about the issue right now. So to all of you men and women who are firefighters, I want you to know that I publically apologize to you for prematurely voting to close that station. But also know that there’s a lot of work to be done,’’ added Randle.
Randle added that it “requires all of us to make sure we find a way to share ideas to reduce the costs…and in order to reduce the costs it involves head count and benefits.”
The council will continue their discussion at the next meeting.
