Florida city lays off 40% of fire department to plug budget gap

[Geppetto 31]

Hialeah lays off 40% of fire department to plug budget gap

City Council members unanimously approved a $263 million budget that avoids higher taxes but means that more than 100 fire employees will be let go.

Enrique Flor

Miami Herald

9/29/11

After a contentious meeting Wednesday night, the Hialeah City Council unanimously approved the city’s $263.4 million budget for 2011-12 — and laid off more than 100 fire rescue workers in three stages beginning Saturday, the start of the fiscal yar.

After almost 90 minutes of debate in the packed council chambers, filled mostly by fire rescue department employees, the council voted 7-0 in favor of the spending plan submitted by Mayor Carlos Hernández.

“I am very proud of the work of the council in approving this balanced budget,” Hernández said. “Most importantly, taxes are not raised for the residents of the great city of Hialeah.” ...

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/29/2430671/hialeah-lays-off-40-of-fire-department.html#ixzz1ZMSpOoOZ

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/29/2430671/hialeah-lays-off-40-of-fire-department.html#ixzz1ZMSDsKWm

[Monty 35]

Wow - that's really got to suck

[Reliance 29]

Wow - that's really got to suck

How do you expect them to go to work and not eat?? If you work an 8 hour day like you propose, the crew from 8 AM - 4 PM is entitlied to lunch around noon. The same for the 4 PM - midnight crew is entitled to supper around 6 PM.Lets see you go 8 hours without eating. Also that would be 8-4 Monday to Friday 4-12 Monday to Friday 12 - 8 Monday to Friday which gives you 3 platoons of workers from 8 AM Monday to 8 AM Saturday morning. Now who is going to fill in from 8 AM Saturday to 8 AM Monday over that 48 hour period. without staggering the shifts.

Are you going to have parttime crews to cover the weekends. That would be two platoons working 12 hour shifts. That would be 8 AM - 8 PM & 8 PM to 8AM. Now the day crew would be working 12 hours without eating but should be entitled to lunch & supper according to regular Department of Labour rules.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/29/2430671/hialeah-lays-off-40-of-fire-department.html#disqus_thread#ixzz1ZMqCcjr6

[Mark Z 18]

{Firefighter Luis Simon, who was dismissed and rehired in May along with 15 others after an arbitrator's ruling, said it cost the city $800,000 "to dismiss people last December."}Read more: http://www.miamihera...l#ixzz1ZN1roYYB

It seems the City of Hialeah has had problems before and didn't learn from the situation. The city is making another stupid mistake and will probably pay for it in the long run. I just hope nobody dies as a result.

[16fire5 693]

They are currently an ISO class 1 fire department.

Edited September 30, 2011 by 16fire5

[EMTDelta 22]

Amazing how the people who MAKE these decisions always have a secure job :angry:

[Mark Z 18]

They are currently an ISO class 1 fire department.

The question is will they stay an ISO class 1 department? I realize that the rating won't change but would they still receive the same rating if the evaluation was done after the layoffs, I doubt it!

[Geppetto 31]

Hialeah re-hires laid off firefighters — for now

Patricia Mazzei and Christina Veiga

Miami Herald

Thursday, 10-06-11

In an abrupt about-face, Hialeah on Thursday rehired fire fighters who had been laid off after the fire union agreed to concessions....

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/06/2442241/hialeah-re-hires-laid-off-firefighters.html

[16fire5 693]

Hialeah re-hires laid off firefighters — for now

Patricia Mazzei and Christina Veiga

Miami Herald

Thursday, 10-06-11

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/06/2442241/hialeah-re-hires-laid-off-firefighters.html

This is now part of the play book. When you can't get enough concessions at the bargaining table threaten lay offs. Who cares if it's peoples livelyhood and the health and safety of those your sworn to serve. When you examine these cuts it was easy to see that services would be severly affected.

[FDNY 10-75 640]

Glad the brothers are back on the job.