The Chief of the St. John’s Regional Fire Department says she’s open to other options to reduce overtime costs and avoid a cut in staffing levels.
The union has decried proposed cuts that they say could reduce the number of firefighters needed to man two critical ladder trucks. But Sherry Colford says there is a contingency plan that would ensure that doesn’t happen.
She says if numbers are too low for the second ladder truck, existing staff will be used to get that vehicle rolling, and staff would be called in to backfill what’s needed. Colford said that scenario occurs about eight times a year.
Meanwhile, Colford said the department will soon begin recruitment for more temporary firefighters to cover off annual leave at Christmas and over the summer months.
Colford is set to meet with the firefighters’ union tomorrow morning. Proposed cuts to service must still be voted on by council as part of the entire budget on December 7.
Says she’s still open to discussing options with union.
— Brian Callahan (@briancallahan67) November 26, 2020