Representatives for Anne Arundel County firefighters say the loss of a regional supervisor puts county residents at risk and want the fire department to restore the position.
Presidents of the county?s firefighters union and volunteer association told the County Council Tuesday that the department?s decision last June to reduce battalion chiefs from four to three will increase response times, especially in the growing section of western Anne Arundel.
“This is a safety issue ? and by not having that fourth battalion chief, someone has to fill his or her shoes, and that takes away one more firefighter from the incident,” said Craig Oldershaw, president of the county?s Professional Firefighters Local 1563.
Emergency service calls could increase 45 percent in the next five years because of an expected boom in population due to the Base Realignment and Closure expansion. The department has said it will need 30 new paramedic/firefighters, and possibly new equipment.
“People aren?t going to think it?s a crisis until20,000 people come to the area, and by then, is it too late?” said Craig Harman, vice president of the county?s volunteer firefighter association.
But the department and County Executive John R. Leopold?s administration disagree.
“This has been very successful, and we anticipate this to continue to be so,” said Dennis Callahan, the county?s chief administrative officer.
Deputy Chief John Scholz said the department eliminated the fourth battalion chief ? who was responsible for the west part of the county, enlarged the responsibilities of the other three chiefs and created a new position ? the shift commander.
But Scholz said “the system, while different, provides at least the same level of service.” The personnel shake-up came as a result of a loss of experience due to retirements and budget pressures. Scholz said the department had been examining ways to make the department more efficient.
