Dow, Wayne ltr - Fire Dept redurage
Jeanne Schneider
From:
To:
Sent:
Subject:
"wayne dow" <waynedow@msn.com>
"Ann Michalski" <aeml0@mchsi.com>; "Dan Nicholson" <danielenicholson@mchsi.com>;
"jeanne schneider" <jschneid@cityofdubuque.org>; "John Markham"
<jmarkham@comerenergy.com>; "Joyce Connors" <Jconnors63@mchsi.com>; "mike van
milligan" <ctymgr@cityofdubuque.org>; "Pat Cline" <Patriciacline@mchsLcom>; "terry duggan"
<dugganreaity@mcleodusa.net>; "Roy Buor' <Rbuoll @mchsi.com>
Sunday, July 06, 2003 11:40 PM
fy2004 budget recommendations
To the City of Dubuque Council, Mayor, and City Manager:
Please place my letter into the public record concerning the proposed budget recommendations
for FY 2004. Due to family obligations ! will be unable to attend the public hearing on 3uly 9th,
2003.
I am opposed to any job cuts within the City of Dubuque, especially to the fire department. !
have been a firefighter for the City of Dubuque for the past 6 1/2 years and know first hand the
extreme conditions and difficulties we face on a day to day basis. With the proposed changes to
the department, we are selling the public short, especially the people that may be experiencing
an emergency while the department is already engaged in a prior emergency.
The proposed position to be eliminated may very well be one of the most important positions we
have on the firegreund, after the incident commander. This fire equipment operator not only
drives the assistant chief to all medical and fire calls, he/she also operates the thermal imaging
camera, assists in advancing hoselines, aids in medical care, etc. I refer you to the information
packet that the Dubuque Professional Firefighters have previously given you to the other duties
this fire equipment operator performs.
Also, when compared to other cities in Iowa, the cities that have done away with this position
staff their engines and trucks with 3-4 personnel. By keeping the position as is, the City of
Dubuque actually is saving 3-4 positions on a daily basis. This person plays the role of the 3rd
person on 2 engines and 2 trucks, as necessary. I again refer you to the information packet that
you have been given.
With regards to NFPA 1710, Section 5.2 refers to minimum staffing of engine and truck
companies as 4 personnel per unit. Dubuque Fire rarely meets this requirement with one
company, let alone with the whole department. Section 3.3.8 allows the combining of companies
that are dispatched and arrive together to meet this requirement of 4 personnel. With our call
volume at its current rate, the guarantee of these units arriving together cannot be guaranteed.
While admitting that 1710 is only a guideline, ! encourage you to adopt it and bring the staffing of
the department to this standard.
Councilwoman Michalski at a previous meeting inquired about the expansion of the city to
the south and west and the need to expand the police and fire department. She showed foresight
and recognized the need then. Please follow that wisdom and do not cut personnel but consider
expansion in our future.
Firefighting is a dangerous profession that I have chosen to accept. My safety and the safety of
my fellow firefighters is at risk by reducing, not expanding the fire department. Do not accept
any position reductions to the fire department.
Thank you,
7/7/2003
Wayne Dow
1145 Rockdale Rd.
Dubuque, IA 52003
(563) 584-0636
7/7/2003