ELYRIA — The Fire Department is ready to move forward from the fire management audit and may have the city administration’s support in doing so.
More than a vocal show of support, Mayor Bill Grace said the department could get a financial one as well if residents support the income tax increase in November. To the shock of many Wednesday, Grace said assuming revenue comes in as projected, the Fire Department will get about $1.1 million of the new funds the 0.5 percentage point increase will generate.
This will allow the city to bring back most, if not all, of the eight firefighters that were laid off in early September.
The 0.5 percent income tax increase will be a permanent increase that will generate about $5.6 million in additional revenue. City leaders originally said 80 percent of the money will be needed to maintain current service levels and the remaining 20 percent would be divided between the Parks and Recreation, Police and Street Maintenance departments.
Grace told council members and residents his plans to fund the department Wednesday night at a meeting of the Public Utilities, Safety and Environment Committee meeting. Called by Councilman Mike Lotko, D-at large, the purpose of the meeting was to start discussions about where the Fire Department should go in the future.
Still, Councilman Kevin Brubaker, D-at large, questioned if Grace would hold true to his plans for the Fire Department.
“If I recall correctly, the ordinance associated with the tax issue said that 80 percent would go toward maintaining existing services and doesn’t designate money to Fire Department,” he said.
Regardless, Fire Chief Rich Benton said he is ready to move the department in a different direction.
Of the many things he plans to do in the future, Benton said it’s time to eliminate the problem of firefighters not knowing which truck or station they will be working on a given day. He plans to institute true ladder companies and true engine companies. The difference in duties is dramatic and knowing the equipment is the key to success, Benton said.
“They will train on that truck and drill on that truck every day until they become masters of the equipment,” he said.
Benton said ladder companies are responsible for ventilation, search and rescue, forcible entry and property salvage among other things at a fire scene. They pave the way for the engine companies, which are solely responsible for laying supply lines and putting water on the fire.
Benton said there was a time when each firefighter knew their job backwards and forwards and did not have to worry about knowing everything because they didn’t know what truck they would be riding from one day to the next.
In addition, Benton said future plans also call for implementing ongoing EMS training, reorganizing the command structure and getting the new $1.2 million ladder truck in service as soon as possible.
There have been a lot of questions associated with the truck because it was purchased and outfitted without a water pump, but Benton said it is a stunning piece of equipment that should be used.
“If we are going to have a true ladder company, you should know a ladder company doesn’t pick up a hose,” he told council members. “With two pumpers and the ladder truck, we will have more than enough water to supply a fire scene.”
Grace said the administration is also becoming convinced that the ladder truck should be used instead of sold like the McGrath Consulting Group recommended in the fire audit.
“Now that we have it, it is equipped for us,” he said. “It has everything on it but water.”
The productive conversation was welcomed by the few residents in attendance.
“I think I speak for all residents when I say I think Elyria is understaffed,” said Warden Avenue resident Brenda Williams. “If something happens, I don’t want us to be one man short when it comes time to get me out of my house.”
Contact Lisa Roberson at 329-7121 or lroberson@chroniclet.com.
