Wednesday, April 14, 1999
Fairfield hires nine full-time firefighters
Shortage left coverage gaps
BY RANDY McNUTT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FAIRFIELD — City officials this week took the first step toward improving the firefighter-shortage problem.
In six months they will develop a master plan on how to do even more.
On Monday night, city council hired nine full-time firefighters from its part-time ranks. When they start working on Monday, Fire Chief Don Bennett said, they will help ease a shortage that has hindered the city for months.
The fire department now operates with only five full-time firefighters, including the chief and deputy chief, and about 68 part-time firefighters.
The city needs additional full-timers to ensure adequate coverage on weekdays.
“In the coming months the chief and city manager will work out adequate staffing,” Mayor Robert J. Wolpert said. “They'll bend the hours, whatever, to make sure we don't
come up short.”
The additional nine officers will help provide coverage from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, the chief said.
“Our goal is six full-timers supplemented by part-timers,” he said. “Staffing could go to 12 during the day. We anticipate our staff will fluctuate from 9-12 people during the day. That's a big improvement. At times, we've been down to only three people.”
The main problem is competition. Chief Bennett said many other area fire departments also want part-time firefighters. Too often Fairfield's firefighters receive training and in time accept better offers from other de partments.
As a countermeasure, Fairfield might consider changing the city's charter to redefine the part-time employee, he said.
Current part-timers can work up to 20 hours per week — up to 1,040 hours per year. (Part-timers earn from $7-$12 per hour.) Chief Bennett would like to see that limit increased to 1,500 hours per year.
He said some area fire departments offer firefighters 212 hours of work in 28 days, which is more lucrative.
“You can see where the people are going to go,” he said. “They're using that money as primary income.”
At Monday's meeting, the nine part-time firefighters were hired full time. They received their badges and a thank you from council.
“When you look at how shorthanded we've been,” added Councilman Ron D'Epifanio, “and you consider our (good) response time, you know that you guys have been doing a great job.”
But Chief Bennett said on Tuesday that he doesn't anticipate a change in the department's response time, which now averages 41/2 minutes per run.
He said the change will come in the fire department's ability to fight fires.
Fairfield's population has increased from about 6,000 people in 1963 to 43,000 today.
Let's spotlight spending by local officials
Sentinels leader says young cops aggressive
Teen pleads guilty in man's stabbing death
Court OKs way judges elected
State approves charter schools
Boost for minority contractors
Bus use continues to grow
Guard fired in wake of sex inquiry
Mayors to get report on storm warning
Channel 48 puts 'Auction' into action
Pumpkins' drummer smashing
It hurts to throw like a girl
Sports injuries increase in kids
Airport's expansion upsetting neighbors
Bondsmen's arrest attempt broke law
Colleges help learning disabled
Covington fills No. 2 police job
Fairfield hires nine full-time firefighters
Fewer Lakota students to move
Former deputy sentenced in theft case
Former UC player returns to face assault charges
Franklin's master plan topic tonight
Journalist: Milosevic will survive
Kenton to list choices for jail
Kentucky special session doubted
Little hearts big on caring
Lucas offers bill against porn online
Mason adds three full-time officers
Merchants want old home saved
NKU president defends budget
Ohio Supreme Court to hear doctors' case against Anthem
Phone-bill surcharge step closer
Sentence delayed in manslaughter
Slain man's mother tries to cope with losing him
State grant boosts hopes for new jail
Students to build family a home
TRISTATE DIGEST
