Montclair Firefighters Sound Off Over Staffing Controversy [WATCH]

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Should Montclair trim its daily fire department staffing coverage, possibly increasing response times? What if it could save taxpayer dollars at a time when every penny counts? These are the questions behind a growing controversy in the township – with a March deadline creeping closer.

Earlier this month, the Montclair Firefighters FMBA Local 20 raised a red flag about changes being planned at the Montclair Fire Department.

According to the union, firefighters say the chief has been ordered to lower the daily minimum staffing from 16 to 14 on-duty members, effective March 5.

“This will very likely result in one of the responding vehicles being placed out of service temporarily and one or more of its members to be reassigned,” spokespeople said.

What does it mean for the public? According to a statement from the union:

“The number of personnel responding to emergencies will be reduced, the number of fire department apparatus (vehicles) responding will be reduced and as a result thousands of dollars of tax payer funded equipment will be sidelined while the public waits for help… Members of the public will experience an increase in response times because fewer apparatus and personnel will be responsible for the same amount of work or more. There will be a reduction in the ability of on-duty firefighting staff to complete essential tasks in a timely manner during emergency responses. All of this will result in a decrease to the township’s public safety.”

The MFD has seen a nearly 20 percent reduction in its staffing levels over the past nine years, largely due to attrition and the retirement of veteran firefighters, the union said. The department had 87 firefighters in 2017 – these days it has 68.

The MFD also contracts to provide fire coverage to nearby Glen Ridge.

PROPERTY TAXES

Township Manager Stephen Marks said there is a big reason to consider the move, however – taxes.

“The truth is that municipal employee health insurance is up this year by approximately $3,756,852, which is a 33.49 percent increase over last year – through no fault of the township,” Marks told Patch.

“If the township were to accept this cost and pass it along to property owners, it would result in a municipal tax increase of over 6.39 percent, which is obviously a non-starter,” he continued. “The township cannot absorb such a large increase in one line item and we are looking for opportunities to reduce spending while keeping municipal taxes stable.”

According to Marks, the reduction in minimum daily staffing from 16 to 14 will not result in the layoff of a single firefighter or the demotion of a single fire officer.

“The township will continue to monitor fire department response times to ensure that residents and businesses are kept safe,” Marks said.

• See Related: Average Montclair Property Tax Tops $22K (See Latest 5-Year Breakdown)

Meanwhile, union leaders argue that the potential savings isn’t worth it.

Citing figures from the township finance committee, the union said the move will save between $750,000 and $1 million, which will come out to a savings of roughly $88 per household annually – about 24 cents a day.

A group of firefighters showed up to protest the staffing changes at the Montclair Town Council meeting on Tuesday. Watch footage here, or view it below (video is cued to public comment).

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