The Omaha City Council voted today to repeal the Fire Department's minimum staffing ordinance.
The council was able to revoke the ordinance after Councilmen Chuck Sigerson and Garry Gernandt today decided to switch their votes.
The ordinance, passed in 2000, mandated the number of firefighters assigned to trucks — the most controversial aspect of the issue. It also mandated the number of fire engines, aerial trucks and medic units in operation, as well as the number of firefighters staffing administrative bureaus.
Similar language also exists in the fire union contract, so the city still would have to negotiate any staffing changes with the union.
Sigerson, a Republican, said in an interview with The World-Herald that public opinion swayed him.
Sigerson said he felt compelled to support abolition of the ordinance after he received more than 500 constituent e-mails and calls asking him to change his vote. "You know what they've all said?" Sigerson said. "‘Cut the Fire Department."
Also voting to repeal the ordinance were Franklin Thompson, Ben Gray and Jean Stothert. Voting against repeal were Chris Jerram and Pete Festersen.
With five votes, the council would be able to override any possible veto by Mayor Jim Suttle.
The council voted on the measure today after weeks of lobbying from both advocates of repeal and the firefighters union, which says changes could jeoardize firefighter safety.
Thompson introduced the proposal to repeal the ordinance this month.
In July, the same proposal from Gray failed on a 4-3 vote. Gray and Thompson have said repealing the ordinance would give the city more flexibility to cut the Fire Department's budget and give the city more wiggle room during contract negotiations. The city is dealing with an $11 million shortfall in the 2010 budget.
Sigerson said he personally supports keeping four firefighters on a truck. "In my heart, I think it's a safety issue," Sigerson said. "But when you hear from your friends and neighbors that you've got to end this, then I have to do it."
Sigerson said he expects to take heat from the Fire Department. "If I truly represent the people, then I'll be fine."
After the vote, a about a half-dozen firefighters gathered outside council chamber, talking in hushed tones. Several, including Steve LeClair, president of the firefighters union, appeared shaken.
"It's kind of an emotional time right now," LeClair said. "We think this is a step back for the public safety of our citizens.
Fire Chief Mike McDonnell said he was disappointed in the council's vote, but he said fire staffing levels would remain in tact per the union contract. The city is currently negotiating a new contract with the union, and it remains to be seen whether staffing rules will change now that the ordinance is gone.
"We believe you should not negotiate public safety," McDonnell said. "That's why the ordinance was created."
Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle has been opposed to repealing the ordinance. His spokesman, Ron Gerard, said after the vote that the mayor was open to looking at proposing reduced fire staffing levels as the negotiations on the current union contract continue. "It's something he will consider," Gerard said. "But at the same time, we want to maintain the highest standard of public safety.
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