In the last 12 months, Elgin, IL firefighters have faced not one, but two rounds of layoffs. Beset by early retirements and other cost-cutting measures, one begins to wonder just how much more can be cut without affecting the safety of the firefighters and their public.
According to a report in the Daily Herald today, city leaders in the sizeable western suburb of Chicago are now considering a hefty cut of 1.5 million dollars from the city’s fire department budget. Publicly, the city says such a cut would not compromise public safety.
With all that’s already happened to the department, I find that hard to believe.
The city officials met early Monday afternoon with Elgin Fire Lt. John Fahy, president of the Elgin Association of Firefighters Local 439, which represents 130 firefighters, paramedics, fire lieutenants and captains.
“Every labor organization understands there are revenue shortfalls. As a union, we’re not opposed to coming up with solutions to do our part to balance the budget,” Fahy said. “Any concession would be pulled off the table if the city was going to reduce the level of service (for residents).”
The specifics and actual numbers for the 2010 spending plan will be made public at the city’s budget meeting next week.
You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip, so let’s not decimate a great department that has already given up so much.
-J
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