More than 100 Hamilton residents and firefighters packed City Council’s chambers Tuesday night to hear the results of an efficiency study of the city’s fire department and to express their concerns about some of its recommendations, including cutting 17.5 positions and closing two fire stations.

The majority of the audience, which flowed out of the council chambers and into the lobby where they watched the special meeting on a TV monitor, was not pleased with the recommendations made by the consultant who performed the study, Mike Walker of Berkshire Advisors Inc.

In addition to cutting jobs and closing fire stations, the study recommends changing firefighters’ work week from 48 to 52 hours, adding a fourth medic unit and a number of organizational changes. If implemented, the study says, the city could reduce overtime costs by $825,000 a year. The 101-member fire department is on pace to reach $1.1 million in overtime costs in 2012.

The report comes at a time when the city and its fire union are beginning negotiations for a new contract and city officials are trying plug a hole of nearly $5.7 million for the 2013 General Fund budget.

Several residents expressed their concerns about the impact of possibly closing fire stations on Laurel Avenue in Lindenwald and on Shuler Avenue in East Hamilton. A few were so concerned they said they’d be willing to pay more taxes to see the fire department remain intact.

“If you close those two stations, there will be no coverage for the southeast side of Hamilton,” said resident James Johns. “Has anyone talked to Fairfield Twp. about this? And can we rely on volunteers to do this? I don’t like it but I would be willing to pay a little more in taxes to keep them on the job.”

One resident asked who commissioned the study of the fire department. City Manager Joshua Smith said he initiated the study for the fire department and the Utilities Department, adding the next department to be reviewed will be Information Technology. Smith also said that the Police Department union agreed to amend its contract, but the fire union did not.

Mark Zimov, city financial analyst, said the proposed General Fund budget for the fire department for 2013 was more than $11.3 million, which is down about $1.3 million from the 2012 fire budget.

Zimov said in 2013, the average pay for a Hamilton firefighter that includes wages, longevity, fitness incentives and holding various certifications and excluding overtime will be $75,617 for firefighters and $74,450 for paramedics. He said with benefits added to the salary, the 2013 compensation for a firefighter is projected at $106,197, and $101,985 for paramedics. Those totals also exclude overtime pay, Zimov said.

“I think it’s important for council to think about this,” said resident Robert Short. “The city has always been proud of their services and the residents have gone to the ballot box to increase their income taxes to support these departments. I think it’s absurd to close the stations because no one can guarantee that the other departments could respond. You need to get input from taxpayer and the residents.”

City officials said they would be holding more meetings with residents in neighborhoods that would be affected by the study’s recommendations.

Mike Vereker told council he’s had to call 911 four times for family emergencies in the past. “The firefighters are usually there first…These are life and death decisions. You need to take a step back before making these kind of decisions.”

One woman asked council how could they bring industry to the city if they are cutting vital services by closing two fire stations. She said it was just amazing to her that the police department has been cut to the bones and now the city wants to cut down the fire department.

Smith asked about placing a fourth medic unit at the Lindenwald station. Fire Chief Steve Dawson said he didn’t think it would be cost efficient and would create a false perception of keeping a station open.

Councilwoman Kathleen Klink asked about closing the Shuler Avenue station and browning out the Lindenwald station. Walker said he would not recommend that.

Walker said closing the two stations would increase response times by a modest amount of one minute to the outlying areas of the city.