Firefighters pack council chambers for hearing on KCFD job cuts

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - A City Hall battle pitting firefighter jobs against a budget crunch took a dramatic turn during public testimony Wednesday.

A budget proposal could end up cutting fire trucks from four man to three man crews.

Right now pumper trucks roll with four firefighters each.

That so when they arrive, two can pour water from outside while two can go inside to search for victims.

The fire department says cutting back to three on a truck could risk public safety.

What if people are trapped inside?  Do you wait for a second truck before going in?

Wednesday, during a Public Safety Committee meeting, council members asked what would happen if someone's screaming for help inside a burning building and there aren't enough firefighters to rescue them.

Jermaine Reed, a KCMO city council member, said, "They can not go into the house at all, given the fact they have three fire persons there. Is that correct?"

Firefighters say they'd rush inside even if understaffed, breaking the rules and risking their own lives.

"We've got to have the resources to do our job. A firefighter's not going to watch a person in a window. We don't do that," said Mike Cambiano, the new president of Local #42, the firefighter's union.

The risk is part of the debate.

The city manager proposes cutting 105 firefighting jobs to save more than seven million dollars.

 "I'm not saying any department should be a sacred cow. I'm saying this is the worst possible way to save money," said John Sharp, a city council member who strongly supports the fire union.

Council member Michael Brooks asked lots of questions during the discussion. Afterwards, he said, "But the reality is we've got a tough budget situation we've got to deal with. And if it's not the fire department, where is the money going to come from and what are we going to do to get to a balanced budget ?"

Wednesday is the first time the new union president had spoken before the council in that role.

He pushed back against any notion he'd be a pushover while representing the city's strongest union.

Cambiano said, "You also need to recognize gentlemen, that I know I'm new in my role, but I understand the history."

Firefighters packed council chambers Wednesday, but no final budget decision will be made until late March.

 Thursday KCMO Mayor Sly James unveils his version of the budget.

That's when we'll find out whether he agrees with the city manager's proposal to cut 105 firefighter jobs, or comes out with a different plan.