White Plains Firefighters Union Says City Should Hire

White Plains Professional Firefighters Local 274 says White Plains could be at risk with the City’s failure to hire new firefighters. The firefighters union is questioning why the City gave back a portion of a $1.9 million grant that would have allowed the City to hire back nine firefighters that were originally laid off in May 2009, instead of only seven. 

“Those two extra firefighters are crucial, because we’re so short on man power,” said Lt. Kevin Clampet, the secretary treasurer for Local 274.  “It’s a safety issue. In order for us to have an efficiently and effectively run department, we need people. For that two-year grant period, it would have made White Plains a safer city at no cost to the taxpayers.”

U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey announced the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program (SAFER) grant in January, citing that it would allow the City to hire nine firefighters.

However that the $1.9 million would not fully cover nine firefighters, and that the City was working with the federal government to alter the grant so that seven firefighters could be hired.

“When we did the calculation, $1.9 million would not have been enough to employee nine firefighters,” said Chief of Staff John Callahan. “It would of cost several hundred thousand dollars more.”

One of the nine firefighters who were laid off was hired back after a retirement in the White Plains Fire Bureau, seven were hired back with the grant, and the other found employment elsewhere.  

Clampet says that returning portions of the grant could jeopardize the City’s chances of being awarded grants in the future—while the City says altering grants are fairly common and show that the City is being conscious of using the funds wisely. 

Callahan said he is hoping the grant, which was altered to $1.48 million, will fully cover the seven positions—as pension and other costs may increase. The grant requires the City to employ 157 firefighters. According to Clampet, the fire bureau was up to 169 members about four years ago. According to Senior Advisor to the Mayor Karen Pasquale the City currently has 155 firefighters, since two retired on Sept. 3. 

“The City has given approval for two open positions to be filled, and this is in the works,” said Pasquale.

Clampet says that the City has been “dragging its feet” with filling those two positions in order to save money. With the reduced manpower, Clampet says that the White Plains Fire Bureau recently started using only eight fire apparatuses instead of nine. Having multiple pieces of equipment out allows the bureau to quickly reach all areas of the City, according to Clampet.

“Increased response time is the secret to our success in White Plains,” said Clampet. “Fires get knocked down most of the time if you get there early before it spreads. You can deal with it a lot better.”

Callahan says that the City never has less than eight pieces on the road, and that having eight or nine varies from season to season.

“The $1.9 million was going to be more than enough, especially when the City drags its feet to hire back,” said Clampet. “I think it was a couple of things—they laid people off in other unions and didn’t want to look like they were showing favorites to the fire bureau. I really don’t know why they didn’t do it [hire two more firefighters].”

The City says the whole situation comes down to budgetary decisions in light of a tough economy.

“This is a City that has reduced its work force by approximately nine percent in less than two years,” said Callahan. “The fire department has had to take a slight reduction like other departments. Those are the economic realities of government in these times.”

White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong said he is committed to working with both the City and the public safety department during the difficult financial times to ensure the city’s safety and that resources are adequate.

“I am confident that the dedicated men in our fire bureau are well prepared and equipped to protect the residents of this city,” said Chong. “They are a phenomenal group of individuals.”

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