Firefighters say staff cuts put lives at risk
Local firefighters are speaking out against the Winston-Salem Fire Department’s (WSFD) decision to cut overtime and reduce staffing numbers.
The WSFD announced last week that they were projected by as much as $600,000 over budget for the fiscal year. To address the projected overage, the department announced that they would be reducing their daily minimum staffing numbers from 89 to 79, canceling overtime and most out-of-town and off-duty training.
While every fire station will remain staffed, many units will operate with three personnel instead of four. According to a press release, Chief Trey Mayo said daily training will continue and even with staffing reductions, the WSPD will still respond to building fires with more personnel than most of its peer departments. The department will also still exceed the number recommended by the National Fire Protection Agency.
Despite the assurance from the chief that service will not be impacted, Ashton Parrinello, president of the Winston-Salem Professional Fire Fighters (WSPF), said the changes implemented last month puts lives at risk.
“This decision threatens the safety of everyone in our city,” Parrinello said. “Fires double in size every minute, and seconds count in a medical emergency. Fewer firefighters on scene means critical tasks will be delayed – putting lives at risk.”
Parrinello, who the newly appointed president of the WSPF, said he wants to inform city officials that staffing changes will not save money. Parrinello is encouraging firefighters and their family members to attend the city council meeting on March 17 to show their support.
Chief Mayo said that the staffing changes are only temporary, and normal operations will resume on July 1. They also mentioned that from April 2020 until Jan. 2021, the department operated at a minimum staff of 79 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Fire administration does not take lightly the decision to reduce minimum staffing. Acting as early as possible is intended to prevent the need to further reduce staffing that could burn out fire stations. The safety of residents and firefighters is always the top priority. On-duty chiefs have full authority to make on-scene operational decisions to support this goal. Administration staff will evaluate the effects of these adjustments and work with city leaders to ensure the quality and safety of the Fire Department’s services continue,” Mayo said.
