Superior cutbacks affect NFD overtime
NORWICH – The agenda for Thursday’s Finance and Personnel committee meeting was heavier than usual, with a plethora of items under discussion. Overtime rates at the fire department were at the top of the list.
“I’ve been watching the overtime closely,” said acting Fire Chief Joe Angelino. “I thought I would have good news to report from the fire department at the six month mark.” Despite internal changes that have been made at the department in scheduling to reduce the amount of overtime,it is now running above average.
On Jan. 23, Superior Ambulance Service announced it would be cutting a portion of its operations in the Chenango County area. Superior went from three ambulances from the county to only one, and the burden those cuts leave behind is falling primarily on the shoulders of the Norwich City Fire Department.
Angelino explained with Superior cutting back its services, the NFD is increasing the number of ambulance calls it responds to outside of the city and contractual first responder areas – the towns of North Norwich, Norwich and Plymouth.
“This issue needs to be addressed by the county,” said Ward Six Alderman Robert Jeffrey.
Ward Four Alderman Walt Schermerhorn agreed. “At the end of the day, our obligation is to our fire district and to the City of Norwich taxpayers,” he said.
The committee did not think a timeline had been set for the county to address the problem. Fire departments in the county rely on a system of mutual aid. If extra resources are needed, and a department has them available, they send help. “We do have ambulance mutual aid,” Angelino said. He continued by pointing out that it is mostly a one way street. “It’s always our ambulances that go some place. I can’t remember when we had another ambulance come here,” Angelino said, excluding the Superior ambulances.
“Right now we have a county situation that is being shouldered by the city,” said Jeffrey. He continued saying the funds for overtime are ultimately the responsibility of the city. “It’s not fair to the taxpayers,” he said. According to the City of Norwich Budget, in 2006 costs for overtime at the fire department totaled $146,260.
“I’ve been watching the overtime closely,” said acting Fire Chief Joe Angelino. “I thought I would have good news to report from the fire department at the six month mark.” Despite internal changes that have been made at the department in scheduling to reduce the amount of overtime,it is now running above average.
On Jan. 23, Superior Ambulance Service announced it would be cutting a portion of its operations in the Chenango County area. Superior went from three ambulances from the county to only one, and the burden those cuts leave behind is falling primarily on the shoulders of the Norwich City Fire Department.
Angelino explained with Superior cutting back its services, the NFD is increasing the number of ambulance calls it responds to outside of the city and contractual first responder areas – the towns of North Norwich, Norwich and Plymouth.
“This issue needs to be addressed by the county,” said Ward Six Alderman Robert Jeffrey.
Ward Four Alderman Walt Schermerhorn agreed. “At the end of the day, our obligation is to our fire district and to the City of Norwich taxpayers,” he said.
The committee did not think a timeline had been set for the county to address the problem. Fire departments in the county rely on a system of mutual aid. If extra resources are needed, and a department has them available, they send help. “We do have ambulance mutual aid,” Angelino said. He continued by pointing out that it is mostly a one way street. “It’s always our ambulances that go some place. I can’t remember when we had another ambulance come here,” Angelino said, excluding the Superior ambulances.
“Right now we have a county situation that is being shouldered by the city,” said Jeffrey. He continued saying the funds for overtime are ultimately the responsibility of the city. “It’s not fair to the taxpayers,” he said. According to the City of Norwich Budget, in 2006 costs for overtime at the fire department totaled $146,260.
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