How come every time the city looks at making budget cuts the fire department circles its fire trucks and claims it cannot be touched? This is evidenced in letters to the editor, op-ed pieces, and statements to the media stating that if budget cuts are enacted the fire department will have slower response times. Longer term defensive efforts have included political action - so much so that their political action committee outspent every other group in the last city election cycle ($39,766 to help elect friendly candidates). They are serious. Any threat to their budget or way of doing things will evoke an immediate and defensive response.
Witness the recent op-ed piece by Erik Roadfeldt in the Budgeteer News: Taking a look at what firefighters do in a day. In the article, Roadfeldt chronicles a 24 hour shift on July 31, 2008 and excoriates City Councilor Jim Stauber for his long standing promotion that the department can operate more efficiently. Clearly the intent of the article is to reinforce the department's intrinsic value to the community and the sacredness of its budget. To those who dare question, even if they are elected to watch over public money, the message is: do not dare question us.
What is unfortunate, is by taking this approach, the department is unwilling to entertain ideas that the city can get more from the department at a lesser cost. Roadfeldt, in his article, laments the long hard hours he puts in without uninterrupted sleep. He makes a point. Twenty four hour shifts may be too taxing for anybody much less those who have life saving responsibilities and extreme physical demands. Why not follow the lead of other life saving professionals such as police officers or nurses? They work eight or twelve hour shifts and do not have to make arrangements to sleep on the job. If Roadfeldt and his colleagues worked shorter shifts they would be more rested, they could spend more time with their families and the city would save money. Ultimately, more rested fire personnel can respond quicker, more effectively, and the city would get eight or twelve hours of work out of a fire person rather than having to budget the expense of providing time and place for employee rest. It works for cops and nurses - why can't it work for fire fighters?
Mayor Ness has made difficult decisions in his short time as mayor. He will have to make many more before his term is done. Having one department immediately state they will be compromised by any cuts is ludicrous. Having that same department work the political system to ensure that elected officials who think taxpayers deserve the best services at the lowest possible price look bad - because they are concerned we get the best possible services at the least possible price - is crazy.
Let's be honest here. There are ways to have effective public services - including fire protection - at a lesser price. To do so, we have to stop circling the fire trucks every time the department sees a change coming. Tell your elected officials that you want the best value for your money. It will not be easy or painless but when we get there we'll send the message that Duluth can adapt, we can solve our own problems, and we are open for business.
You can let your city councilors know how you feel about this issue by emailing them at council@duluthmn.gov.
