Topeka Firefighters Face Department Reductions

Topeka firefighters will meet this weekend to talk about whether to turn up the heat regarding a suggested downsizing of their department.

Firefighters will meet Sunday and Monday to discuss potential changes to the department, confirmed Topeka Fire Department Capt. Randy Phillips, president of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 83, which represents rank-and-file Topeka firefighters in contract negotiations.

Phillips said Friday the meetings would be held “simply to share and discuss with our membership the information that was given to us by Chief (Greg) Bailey in a meeting we had with him earlier this week.”

Phillips said the union wouldn’t comment publicly on anything related to the situation until after Monday’s meeting.

Bailey confirmed Friday he had made downsizing recommendations to city manager Jim Colson but declined to say what they are.

Colson asked Bailey to suggest potential changes to cut costs after a resources allocation study last year showed the city had more fire department and police department employees than comparable cities, and that the city paid more than other cities to cover public safety personnel costs.

“We live in a society and time of highly limited resources,” Colson said last June.

The study included conclusions that Topeka:

– Spends $36.22 more per resident per year for fire protection than the adjusted average of the 17 cities examined in the study. Topeka spends $203.85 per resident, compared with an average of $167.63.

– Funds about 51 additional fire positions based on Topeka’s population.

– Serves on average 5.17 square miles per fire station, compared with an average in the study of 6.86 miles. To reach the average, Topeka would need to reduce the number of fire stations it operates from 12 to nine.

IAFF Local 83 members staff all 18 fire companies that work out of the 12 fire stations.

The local was formed in Topeka in 1918, according to www.iafflocal83.com.

During the past 90 years, Local 83 members have expanded services to include emergency medical services, hazardous materials, technical and water rescue.

There are 237 current members in Local 83, the website states. Overall, the IAFF has 280,000 members in 3,100 locals.