Firefighter Layoffs: St. Louis (MO) Fire Department to Lay Off 30 Firefighters

According to a report from stlouistoday.com:

After nine months of stalemate in labor negotiations, the city will lay off 30 firefighters, the office of Mayor Francis Slay said late Monday, one of the few Fire Department layoffs in city history.

In addition, said chief of staff Jeff Rainford, the city will cut 24 more positions through attrition, bringing the cuts to nearly 10 percent of the department's 600 firefighters.

Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson vowed the layoffs would not impact public safety. "It's going to put a strain on us," he said. "It's my job to get through it."

Firefighters said they had heard the rumors but were surprised to hear the decision. Chris Molitor, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 73, said the news would be tough to take.

Read all about it HERE.

PA Fire Department to Propose New $15.8M Equipment Replacement Policy

A new report on firefighter equipment and safety from Patch.com out of Pennsylvania:

The Lower Merion Township Fire Department plans to ask the Board of Commissioners to adopt a new 20-year $15.8-million fire apparatus replacement policy for its six volunteer companies in the coming April cycle. The previous equipment replacement policy expired in late 2010.

The policy, outlined by township Fire Chief Charles McGarvey at the board's March 2 meeting, establishes a time-line for the purchase of three new pieces of equipment for each of the township's six companies by 2030. The final cost, adjusted for five percent annual inflation, would be paid for with monies from the township's Capital Projects Fund created through the sale of general obligation bonds.

...

McGarvey added that new equipment doesn't only maximize the ability of the volunteer force to do their job, but helps recruitment and retention for the individual companies. The scarcity of firemen is a problem in municipalities across the state.

Read the whole thing HERE.