Layoffs Hit Minneapolis Fire Department

Grievance Committee Article Selection

Layoffs Hit Minneapolis Fire Department
From The Star Tribune, April 18, 2003

Minneapolis firefighter Jim Baker spent his last day on the job Thursday commemorating 30 years of service as the guest of honor at a farewell dinner he hadn't planned on a few weeks ago.

Baker and at least 12 other veterans have accepted incentives to retire early, helping to save the jobs of 11 firefighters who were slated to be laid off today.

"When they first offered the package, I wasn't going to do it," Baker said from Firehouse 27, 4550 Nicollet Av. S. in the Kingfield neighborhood, where he is a driver.

"But I got to thinking about it," he said. "They're going to lay off like 55 of these young guys. They've got families. They've just bought houses. We were told the retirements may save jobs.

"It's kind of hard to walk out," said Baker, 61. "But I figured if I could save one job, it was worth it to me."

The early retirements, combined with redistributing funds throughout the department's budget, lessened the necessity of layoffs, said Chief Rocco Forte.

One money-saving move was to eliminate a $180,000 fund earmarked each year for a fire disaster. It hasn't been used recently, and in such an event, Forte said, neighboring communities would be expected to help.

"This is a good day," firefighters' union president Tom Thornberg said. "It certainly is good news for those 11 firefighters, but it doesn't address our main concern of the public's safety. We're still short-staffed."

When layoffs were first discussed, union officials launched a public awareness campaign warning of the dangers of reducing the number of firefighters in the city. The department still will not meet the National Fire Protection Association's national standard of four firefighters to a rig.

Forte reiterated Thursday that under ideal conditions, the standard would be met, something that the budget crunch does not allow for.

He said that his staff is investigating several revenue-generating ideas that may allow the department to recall laid-off firefighters, but that results from those studies won't be available until later this year.

Committees are exploring possibilities such as charging insurance companies for extracting victims from vehicles at accident scenes and allowing advertisers to sponsor equipment or fire stations.

"But this is new for us," Forte said. "We've never had to generate money before."

The chief ordered layoffs to save $3 million in the department budget. The City Council cut the Fire Department budget and budgets of other departments in response to Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposed reductions in state aid.

After Friday's layoffs, the department will have 393 sworn firefighters.

The Police Department's latest plans are to lay off 14 officers and 42 civilian employees as part of its efforts to cut $7 million. The officers' layoffs took effect this week.

One firefighter whose job was saved showed his appreciation to Baker by bringing pies -- one apple and one banana cream -- to the farewell dinner.

Another firefighter, Corey Graham, 31, who's been with the department a little more than two years, said from Firehouse 21, 3209 E. 38th St. in the Howe neighborhood, that he thought someone was pulling his leg when he got the call Thursday morning telling him his job was saved. Graham, a father of five, called his wife, who was still giddy with relief Thursday night.

"These guys kind of looked to me for experience," Baker said. "But when it comes to fighting in a fire, they blow right by me.

"It's a young man's job," he said. "That they're bringing back 11 guys is the most gratifying thing for me, besides getting the job in the first place."

Comments about this article from the 2003 Grievance Committee Chairman, Richard Ozuna:

I can’t help but feel the sense of Unionism in the retiring firefighters in Minneapolis. As always we are left to take care of each other. “They were told the retirements MAY save jobs.” In San Antonio we would need something a lot stronger than a “may”. The question comes in as to what cuts were made in the Fire Department civilian administration. A good hard look into most departments will find funds being spent on non-essential items. An additional administrative assistant for the administrative assistant to a budget analyst for example. Maybe these desk jockeys should quit pushing things off their desks and do the work themselves. It seems that too many times the easiest place to cut is in the field personnel. These cuts go public and it affords the city and fire administrations the “we are against the wall” excuse. Before any Chief worth his salt goes before a City Council to request or support a cut in field personnel he should first list all non-sworn personnel what their duties are and how many hours in a day are spent on non-essential issues. Don’t forget to add in the total number of rounds of golf played on City time. How do you justify an assistant to a budget analyst in a time where there are no funds? If there are no funds what is this assistant doing?

What is the difference between an unkept promise and a lie? The spelling!

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