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Mayor Supports Firefighter Cuts (Poll Question)

Tuesday, 19 November 2013 14:02

Pat Sobeski sides with trimming the WFD to 44 firefighters

Woodstock's Firefighters are hot under the collar over proposed cuts to their service.

This will only add more fuel to that fire.

Woodstock's Mayor is speaking in support of trimming the number of firefighters from 48 down to 44.  "Well there's no real drop-off in service.  Understand that there's always a minimum of 8 firefighters on duty.  A platoon right now consists of 12, so there will be days where there will be 11 on duty.  But when you have sick days and vacation days, you make sure the minimum doesn't fall below 8.  We're running one platoon now, because of a retirement, we didn't replace that firefighter, we're running one platoon with 11 and they seem to be functioning ok."

If council decided to proceed with the cut, they will have to choose between a layoff, or see the number eventually reduced through attrition.  Sobeski favours attrition, saying it prevents the city from having to issue severance packages.

The other proposal to be considered by council Thursday night could see a reduction in the number of Code 4 emergency calls attended by firefighters.  Here, Sobeski says he wants to see the fire department focus more on fire prevention initiatives, like home inspections, rather than attending every car accident in the city.

The Woodstock Professional Firefighters Association has been rallying against the proposed cuts, and their union brass will be speaking to city council during Thursday night's meeting.

Tell us what you think: 

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