Utica Fire Department Could See Cuts
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: November 19, 2012
The Utica Fire Department could be faced with staff cuts in 2013. Fire
Chief Russ Brooks spoke at a Utica Common Council meeting tonight.
He discussed the possibility of eliminating the chief fire marshal position, which would be done through attrition, and the negative effects that this would have on the fire department and the community.
"When I was appointed to the fire department, there were 256 firefighters. Currently I have 113. There's a limit and eliminating the chief fire marshal's job, which as I see it is the most important job in the city," says Russ Brooks, Utica Fire Chief.
The Common Council says there may be other options. Consolidating the chief fire marshal position with the deputy fire marshal position was discussed.
He discussed the possibility of eliminating the chief fire marshal position, which would be done through attrition, and the negative effects that this would have on the fire department and the community.
"When I was appointed to the fire department, there were 256 firefighters. Currently I have 113. There's a limit and eliminating the chief fire marshal's job, which as I see it is the most important job in the city," says Russ Brooks, Utica Fire Chief.
The Common Council says there may be other options. Consolidating the chief fire marshal position with the deputy fire marshal position was discussed.
