Smith’s recommendations also include closing the Shuler Avenue fire station on May 5, 2013, but then reopen it Jan. 1, 2014, to house the city’s fourth medic unit. About 83 percent of the fire department calls are EMS runs.
Dillon Watson of See Avenue told council Wednesday he wanted to thank the firefighters who responded to save his grandfather’s life.
“If the fire station wasn’t so close, Paw-Paw would have lost his life,” the young boy said.
His mother, Michelle Watson, told council that her biggest concern about the possible closing of the Shuler Avenue fire station was not having the firefighters respond to begin assisting her father-in-law until the medics arrived.
“I want to make sure they are well-manned,” she said. “My father-in-law has had three heart episodes in the past several weeks. The firemen were there before the medics. This is important to the community.”
In 2011, city firefighters responded to 11,733 emergency calls.
A recent consultant’s study reported the city could save $825,000 a year in overtime costs by changing the firefighter’s workweek.
Eric Abney, president of Local 20 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, said there were a lot of things to work with on the budget.
“We’ll see what’s there that could be cut other than firefighters,” Abney said. “We’re in (contract) negotiations and the manager has to submit a budget.”
Abney could not comment further because the union and city are in negotiations.
Resident Dan Hancock raised concerns that closing the Shuler Avenue fire station that would increase response times for the large business area off Symmes Road as well as providing fire protection for the Butler County Regional Airport. He said the fire engine based at that fire station has the capability to use foam for aircraft and aviation fuel fires.
“You’re adding more minutes, more time to respond,” he said.
The fire engine at the Lindenwald fire station on Laurel Avenue also has foam capability, Smith said.
Councilman Timothy Naab asked Deputy Fire Chief Mark Mercer how many times firefighters have used the fire engine with foam capability at the airport in the past five years. Mercer said he could not recall any calls needing that equipment, but firefighters have stood by for aircraft with landing gear problems.
For 2013, the city is projecting 2013 General Fund revenues of $39.7 million and expenditures of just under $42.1 million. Smith said the budget deficit for 2013 was reduced from $5.6 million to $2.3 million. He said the balance will be covered by the city’s reserve fund.
The city’s revenue projections for 2013 are down due to loss of about $1 million from state estate tax that will be eliminated beginning in 2013; reductions from the state in local government funding; the city’s loss of two paper mills; and the recent announcement that Western States Machine Co. was moving out of the city.
Residents can hear presentations and comment on the proposed fire department cuts at 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at Crawford Woods Elementary School; 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 11 at Miami University Hamilton Downtown; and at 6 p.m. Dec. 12 at Hamilton City Council’s public hearing at the Hamilton Municipal Building.
Council is scheduled to vote on the 2013 budget at its Dec. 26 meeting.
About the Author
