Newburgh looking at layoffs even with huge hikes in taxes

[Geppetto 31]

By Michael Randall

Times Herald-Record

09/22/10

CITY OF NEWBURGH — City Council members said Tuesday that they'd rather not lay off anybody, but they might not have a choice if they want a smaller tax rate hike in the city's 2011 budget.

"There is no department that is immune (to cuts)," said Mayor Nick Valentine....

...Among 34.5 jobs proposed for elimination through layoffs are eight part-time civilian crossing guards in the police department, 12 firefighters, four in code compliance and six in the public works department. The other jobs would be cut through attrition....

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100922/NEWS/9220361

[BFD1054 1,552]

Here we go again in Newburgh. What a damn shame. 12 firefighters proposed to be laid-off? Im not too privy to Newburgh FD's staffing levels, however 12 FF's is alot in any small City FD.

8 part-time crossing guards may also be laid-off. I would assume these posts would then have to be covered by NPD officers? With all thats been going on in Newburgh, their officers shouldnt be tied up as crossing guards.

I wish all the best to ALL City of Newburgh employees as this will be a bumpy road.

[JetPhoto 626]

Less Firefighters =

More unfortunate FF injuries due to doing more work with less people

More overtime needed to cover the injured FF shifts

More cuts

More request for mutual aid (so other tax payers can pay for Newburgh's problems)

Lets hope it doesn't end up with any deaths due to crew shortages

[INIT915 1,119]

Here we go again in Newburgh. What a damn shame. 12 firefighters proposed to be laid-off? Im not too privy to Newburgh FD's staffing levels, however 12 FF's is alot in any small City FD.

8 part-time crossing guards may also be laid-off. I would assume these posts would then have to be covered by NPD officers? With all thats been going on in Newburgh, their officers shouldnt be tied up as crossing guards.

I wish all the best to ALL City of Newburgh employees as this will be a bumpy road.

Does Newburgh even have 12 guys per shift?

[xfirefighter484x 234]

Discussion regarding NFD from earlier this year, in regards to a proposed idea to do FD based EMS.

http://www.emtbravo.net/index.php?showtopic=37162

[dashield 61]

Does Newburgh even have 12 guys per shift?

No....we have 10 per shift, minimum staffing is 3 per apparatus with a chief. 12 Layoffs will eliminate an engine company

[INIT915 1,119]

No....we have 10 per shift, minimum staffing is 3 per apparatus with a chief. 12 Layoffs will eliminate an engine company

So that would leave 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, and 1 Chief in service per tour?

[Guest T-34]

State Police & Orange County Sheriff was asked to help with manpower. OCSO with send 4 deputies down to patrol newburgh every Thur, Fri, Sat nights starting next week

[dashield 61]

So that would leave 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, and 1 Chief in service per tour?

That s correct, if the layoffs happen as planned newburgh will be down to 1 & 1 with a chief.

[x129K 1,393]

CRIMINAL!

[efdcapt115 1,511]

That s correct, if the layoffs happen as planned newburgh will be down to 1 & 1 with a chief.

City of Newburgh, NY:

3.82 square miles

population: 28,173 (2008 data)

population density: 7,371 people per square mile (high)

One engine and one truck with a chief.

As of 2008 census data:

Compare the crime rate of Newburgh to Yonkers (nothing derogatory meant by the comparison, just that we know and hear much about YPD activity here on EMTBravo):

Newburgh's murder rate is:

6X higher

Robberies are:

2X higher

Assaults are:

5X higher

Burglaries are:

4X higher

The Crime Index comparison: U.S. Average is 320.0

Yonker is 214.2

Newburgh is 666.8

They are not filling positions in the police department through attrition. They are calling for "mutual aid" for police coverage.

I'm not trying to paint a negative picture of the City of Newburgh. I'm sure there are many beautiful sections, just as there are probably older, more crime ridden sections. The City was established in 1800. Think there's any balloon construction there?

Just cannot see the city being able to protect itself with these proposed staffing cuts/levels.

Be safe Newburgh FD/PD.

http://www.city-data.com/city/Newburgh-New-York.html

http://www.city-data.com/city/Yonkers-New-York.html

[ffp20 14]

it seems they'll call for MA more often, and, the neighboring FD's would be more than happy to do it. The taxpayers of those districts would be "subsidizing" fire protection in the city.

[x129K 1,393]

it seems they'll call for MA more often, and, the neighboring FD's would be more than happy to do it.

Which is part of the problem......

[JetPhoto 626]

Which is part of the problem......

Exactly as "fun" as it may be to the local volley's go in and fight fire, they must stand next to their brother firefighters and support them in their time of need.

[61MACKBR1 222]

EXACTLY - Newburgh will continue to "suppliment" the already low FD Staffing Levels with the Mutual Aid that they continually rely upon by using the Air National Guard FD out of Stewart AFB to come in and fight fires in the city. I suspect that they next step will be consolidation of Fire Services throughout Orange County and will eventually come up with a Orange County Fire District rather than individual municipal fire departments.

it seems they'll call for MA more often, and, the neighboring FD's would be more than happy to do it. The taxpayers of those districts would be "subsidizing" fire protection in the city.

[aviator70 16]

State Police & Orange County Sheriff was asked to help with manpower. OCSO with send 4 deputies down to patrol newburgh every Thur, Fri, Sat nights starting next week

So Orange County residents and NYS Residence will also help foot the bill for Newburgh!

[Bnechis 3,961]

So Orange County residents and NYS Residence will also help foot the bill for Newburgh!

Dont Orange County property owners benifit from having all the properties that are undisirable in one place? Dont most home buyers look to avoid having places like this on their block?

This is one reason why most of the country has county wide services, everyone benifits.

[INIT915 1,119]

Dont Orange County property owners benifit from having all the properties that are undisirable in one place? Dont most home buyers look to avoid having places like this on their block?

This is one reason why most of the country has county wide services, everyone benifits.

I have to agree with BNechis here. As an Orange County resident myself, it behooves the county and region as a whole to mitigate the problems Newburgh faces. For two reasons, those problems inevitably move to the outskirts and suburbs, and second is, a reputation like that can impact the county as a whole in terms of effects on property values and other associated criteria.

[dashield 61]

Mayor of Newburgh stating that the loss of an engine Company will not affect response

You have to listen to the mayor also stating that they can use mutual aid.... I have some news for you Mr Mayor, the surrounding volunteer departmenst WILL NOT tolerate being used in place of 12 laid off members.

[antiquefirelt 994]

Mayor of Newburgh stating that the loss of an engine Company will not affect response

You have to listen to the mayor also stating that they can use mutual aid.... I have some news for you Mr Mayor, the surrounding volunteer departmenst WILL NOT tolerate being used in place of 12 laid off members.

Clearly the Mayor is accusing the FD of being manpower heavy. How can you cut a company and not affect the responses? Far too often lately we see Mayors, Councilors, Managers and sadly Fire Chief's state that reductions in manpower/staffing/companies will not affect services. This is a blatant lie. One cannot continue to provide the same number and level of service with fewer personnel unless those cut do nothing already. What they mean, but will not come out and say is that the FD will not eliminate any of the services it's mission requires (rescue, suppression, prevention, EMS, etc), but the delivery of those services will be diminished in one manner or another. Longer responses times, fewer personnel on runs, slower task completion all spells L-O-S-S to the citizens. Loss of property and lives, it's that simple.

Also, do you KNOW for a fact the surrounding VFD's won't tolerate filling the voids? In many places vollies can't wait to catch more runs and the grudges between paid and Volunteers are so deep that many would take the extra calls just to screw the paid guys over. Sad but true in many areas. Just look at some of the posts here on EMT-Bravo between the two groups.

Edited November 2, 2010 by antiquefirelt

[16fire5 693]

The closing will severly effect response times to the west end. Add that to the fact that they will now be responding with 7. The surrounding departments have already gone on the record that they will not pick up the slack.

[Anthony Tester 13]

Do everything possible to help the Brothers in Newburgh. Their backs are against the wall and literally, are in dire straits. The statistics do not lie. Talk to anyone who is over there. I have, and its a very dangerous situation (for everyone) that is on the table.

Hang in there guys, you have our support !

[Geppetto 31]

Claims against Newburgh firefighter's union for harassment

11/09/10

YNN News

http://capitalregion.ynn.com/content/top_stories/523362/claims-against-newburgh-firefighter-s-union-for-harassment/?ap=1&MP

see also other posting regarding "City of Newburgh Considers Disbanding"

[gamewell45 258]

Also, do you KNOW for a fact the surrounding VFD's won't tolerate filling the voids? In many places vollies can't wait to catch more runs and the grudges between paid and Volunteers are so deep that many would take the extra calls just to screw the paid guys over. Sad but true in many areas. Just look at some of the posts here on EMT-Bravo between the two groups.

A very good reason why both sides need to learn to work together without stabbing each other in the back.