NEWBURGH – The elimination of 12 career firefighters as part of the proposed 2020 Newburgh city budget “will have a dramatic impact on the safety of our community and the women and men trained to protect each of our families and one another,” Newburgh Firefighters Association President Brendan Hogan said Friday.
City firefighters respond to 3,200 emergency calls each year translating to a call every two to three hours.
“Our firefighters are prepared to respond to the most dangerous accidents, medical emergencies and threats occurring across the city. And, these incidents have no common address because they occur in every residential neighborhood and on random street corners,” Hogan said.
He hopes to work with the city administration “to identify an alternative to a shortsighted proposal that is a gamble, with consequences so severe, and laden with risk, it is neither reasonable or appropriate. In fact, it is reckless,”
He said the 66 members of Newburgh’s Local 589 do not stand alone. Residents and members of the state and international firefighters unions.
Mayor Torrance Harvey has already taken a page from Beacon City Mayor Randy Casale’s proposal that the cities consider discussions about regional fire departments to save money and to fill in the manpower gaps in volunteer departments.
