The Chief of the St. John’s Regional Fire Department met with media yesterday to clarify the impact of proposed cuts to service in the city budget which is due to come down on December 7.
The union that represents firefighters fired a salvo this week in response to the city’s plan to cut costs associated with ballooning overtime, which is averaging about $1.2-million a year.
The union said the cuts would result in one of the department’s two ladder trucks being taken out of service. But Fire Chief Sherry Colford says officials are working on contingency plans to prevent that from happening.
She says existing staff would be used to get the second ladder truck moving, if needed, and then backfill the two positions needed to cover off required staffing levels.
A meeting is planned with the union Friday to continue discussions on other options to cut costs.
Meanwhile, a recruitment drive starts soon for more temporary firefighters to cover off leave at Christmas and over the summer months.