Cuts are on the way for Baltimore County’s Fire Department as officials forecast a budget deficit blamed on overestimating the number of retirements.
Department Chief John Hohman and union leaders said they agreed earlier this week on cutbacks that would not affect services but would require some support personnel — such as fire dispatchers and investigators — to staff firetrucks and ambulances. A spokeswoman for Hohman described the cuts as precautionary and minimal.
“The chief wanted to take steps now to address this before it gets worse,” said the spokeswoman, Elise Armacost. “Our department has a history of being every fiscally prudent, and this is such a moving target. There are so many variables.”
Armacost said the department overestimated the number of employees who would retire, an error union leaders said also occurred during the past fiscal year, requiring the department to request $750,000 in funds from other county agencies.
Union President Mike Day said only support staff comfortable with working in the field would be used. Still, Day said the cuts, which also include curtailing travel expenses and training programs, could be unnecessary.
Six people in the past week, Day said, have notified him of their intent to retire.
“I think this is a very early knee-jerk reaction to projected shortfalls,” Day said. “I think it’s way, way too premature.”
The Fire Department has returned unused personnel money for other county agencies to use three of the past seven years, according to county auditors.
Several county paramedics said they feared the deficit would force the department to cancel a new class of 25 paramedics expected to be hired in January. Day said department officials agreed to keep the class, but would probably postpone graduation until June.
