The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-10
Reorganization OF Fire
Dept. Is Recommended
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received yearly in this city, It Is
stated, calls for no unusual taxing
of men or apparatus.
Reduction Of Pensions
In discussing possible reduction of
pensions, the report says there are
now 20 firemen already eligible for
pension, having served 20 or more
years and being over SIS years of age.
In addition, says the report, there
are 81 f1remen over Al, and Of these
there are AZ over 54, making prob
able large increase in pension re-
quirements within the next few
years. 1t is claimed that the situa-
ton requires serious study.
Local privates, says the report,
in some cases receive higher
pay than in other cities. Officers SAL
aries are reported higher than in
most comparable cities. Reclassifica-
ton of jobs, recommended in the
report, would bring about payroll re-
auctions.
ASC AuuISSlUH 70 Depts
Qualifications for admission to the
IRE department, the report recon-
mendS, should be revised to make the
age requirement be from 81 to 90
years, and make it necessary that
each fireman shall have had at least
two years of high school education.
Hiring of firemen, it is recon-
mended, should be based on the
merit system.
The report states that the main
tenance of the fire alarm cable and
wire system has not been too eff
cient and recommends that an ar
rangement be made to have the tele-
phone company do this work. Wires
would be leased from the company.
Less Expensive Cars
Less expensive cars for the chief,
deputy and fire marshal should be
purchased in the future, suggests
the report, and these cars should be
painted red. Consideration would be
given to plan for undermining
equipment which has been in SER
wee Tor many years.
The East Main street firehouse.
whose closing is recommended, not
only houses an engine company and
truck company, but has drill tower
and is now used as headquarters for |
instruction of firemen.
No recommended is made as I'd |
the use to be made of the three en-
CINE houses after they are closed.
Will Seek Public Aid
AS in the case of the Griffenhagen
recommendations concerning the
school department, f1remen will seek
the support of the public as did the |
teachers. The Fire Department Aid |
association is prepared to take &C
ton opposing adoption of the recon-
mendations. Backing of community |
CLUBS, civic groups, residents of sec
lions from which fire houses would |
be taken. and citizens in general will |
be sought.
Been Under Study
The fire department is one of the
branches of the city government
which have been under study by
Grlttenhagen & Associates for the
past several months. The fire de-
partment recommendations are now
in the hands of the board of 1.nance.
II the same procedure Is followed as |
In other departments, the recon-
will be turned over to
the board of fire commissioners for
study. The board of education re-
fused to approve the Griffenhagen
recommendations for that depart
ment. and similar action by the fire
board is considered very probable.
AS In other city departments, fire.
men are now working under a 10 per |
cent wage cut, and any salaries men
toned in this article are, of course.
10 per cent less than the figure men
toned.
Jobs That Would Fall
Jobs proposed for elimination in !
the Griffenhagen report are those of |
the fire marshal, three captains, !
four lieutenants, five linemen and
% privates. No salaries for these
jobs are listed in the recommended
in the proposed fire department
salary item for 1899.
Even with the removal of these !
jobs, the closing of three flrehouses
would make possible reallocation of
the remaining firemen, says the re-
port, so that no engine company
personnel would be reduced and two |
would be increased.
The report states that the bureau
OF auto repairs is not necessary, and |
suggests establishment OF a central |
city garage for all repair work on |
city cars. However, it is recon-
mended, one man oe retained who |
has a special knowledge of the
mechanics of fire annaratlls