PEORIA, Ill. – As talks in the Peoria City Council continue over the next city budget, there’s one seemingly usual sticking point that’s making a comeback: Fire Department staffing.
There’s no full-time dedicated staff on the main rescue vehicle, and while grant funds have allowed some firefighters to be hired back in recent years, most remember a number of cuts several years ago.
Second District Council Member Chuck Grayeb doesn’t like the situation at all.
“We really don’t have a dedicated rescue squad as such. To me that is malpractice. Sorry mayor, that is city malpractice,” said Grayeb, at this week’s budget session.
Officials with Firefighters Local 50 tell 25 News it may continue to be possible to man the rescue vehicle without hiring. Right now, firefighters from another station go get the vehicle and respond to calls like car crashes and other accidents.
“We know to be 90% funded (pension liabilities), it’s going to be tough on the city,” said Josh Martin, Firefighters Local 50 president. “We’re doing our part to be creative and come back and say, ‘Hey instead of hiring 11 people to staff a fire truck, let’s do it with overtime. This saves pension liability with the city.”
In the meantime, Martin says the department is doing the best it can, while still being down in terms of staffing.
Chief Shawn Sollberger will give his budget proposal to the City Council next week.
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