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Council member raises concerns about Fire Department budget and staffing
3:34:20
ยท
50 sec
Council Member Joann Ariola expresses concerns about the Fire Department's budget being flatlined for the past three years. She highlights staffing issues, particularly the need for a fifth firefighter in more firehouses.
- References a Daily News opinion piece about lack of staffing
- Mentions a previous agreement to add fifth firefighters to 10 firehouses
- Emphasizes ongoing staffing challenges
Joann Ariola
3:34:20
Thank you, chair.
3:34:22
As chair of fire and emergency management, of course, I wanna talk about the fire department.
3:34:26
For the last three years that I've been the chair, the the budget has been flatlined.
3:34:30
Today in the daily news, the chair of this committee, Justin Brannon, and the union president, Andy Ansborough, wrote an excellent yet troubling opinion piece regarding a lack of staffing for our fire houses, of firefighters and the need for the fifth firefighter.
3:34:50
About a year ago, we had a conversation with the administration because when I came on, I joined my colleagues in the fight for that fifth firefighter.
3:34:59
We the administration was willing to put fifth firefighter in 10 other firehouses, especially in the winter months.
3:35:07
And staffing was an issue as to why it couldn't be done.