… Remember that Smithgall laid off fire fighters in his previous iteration as mayor. Remember that he expressed his interest in seeing the fire bureau reduced in size in his first two terms. Remember that he was developing a scheme to have volunteer firefighters from outside of the city provide fire protection to city residents.
Charlie Smithgall will write off as much of the city fire bureau as he can to pay for more police…
City residents need to understand that the fire bureau is already dangerously understaffed according to the national standards accepted by the fire service. Any further reduction will place the lives of city fire fighters at great risk, while creating additional hazards to the lives and property of city residents who in their greatest hour of need will rely on the city fire bureau for help.
Wasn’t it Smithgall who opened the fire station in Cabbage Hill when he took office? Your claims are scare tactics and irresponsible.
Thanks for pointing out that the Gray administration has your staffing at dangerously low levels.
I don’t like your [playing off] the police against fire fighters. Doesn’t make you look good at all.
Charlie Smithgall is the person playing police against firefighters. You are right that Smithgall opened the Cabbage hill fire station. He also laid off fire fighters and closed fire station #5 at Duke and Chestnut. The fire department staffing was equally low under Smithgall, especially after he laid off personnel.
You should be scared by Smithgall’s plans. Any reduction in fire department staffing will put both you and firefighters at risk. Buyer beware when it comes to Smithgall. No one will be able to claim ignorance should he win this election and further decimate staffing levels at the fire department.