Overtime freeze leaves NJ fire dept. short on staffing

By Richard Cowen
The Herald News

PASSAIC, N.J. — A midsummer manpower shortage aggravated by a freeze on overtime has the Passaic Fire Department already running "lean and mean," a month before the scheduled layoff of 20 firefighters.

With many firefighters already on vacation and others using their sick days before the Aug. 14 layoff, department staffing is shorter than usual. On most days in July, the department has had to close one of its six companies because there aren't enough firefighters.

Fire Chief Patrick Trentacost said Wednesday that a freeze on overtime pay prompted by the city's budget crisis leaves the department little choice but to close companies on a revolving basis. And the situation is likely to get even worse if the city fails to plug a projected $6 million hole in the 2011 budget and instead resorts to layoffs.

"Right now every cost saving is being looked at," in terms of contract givebacks and cost savings, Trentacost said.

The department has 105 firefighters spread among six companies. Whenever a firefighter goes on vacation or calls in sick, his shift is filled by another firefighter on overtime, paid at 1 1/2 times the hourly rate.

The contract also requires that when a superior officer is absent, his position in the company must be filled. A lower-ranking firefighter bumps up to his job for the shift -- and is paid the higher rate. This makes overtime much more expensive for the city.

"Sometimes, it costs the city an extra $1,300 just to replace one man on overtime," one former city official said.

Trentacost said the department shut down a ladder company on Wednesday and an engine company on Tuesday. There were no major fires on either day, he said.

The city has yet to adopt its 2011 budget, and is hoping for a shot of last-minute aid from the federal government. Layoff notices have been sent to 25 municipal employees and 20 firefighters.

Federal money is available through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program, which is sponsored by Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-Paterson. Congress reauthorized the program last month with a $1.1 billion appropriation through 2014. SAFER is designed to help distressed cities hire new firefighters or avoid layoffs.

It was unclear late Wednesday whether Passaic had applied for SAFER funding. However, Keith Furlong, a spokesman for the city, said Passaic had received SAFER funding in previous years.

"This is great, particularly if the reauthorized SAFER grant funds include an economic hardship waiver," Furlong said. "In the past, Passaic received SAFER grants which required specific staffing levels and matching funds, and the city is not in the position to hire additional firefighters after losing significant state aid," he said.

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