Skibitsky, FMBA Likely to Meet on Mandatory Minimums

Firefighters union leaders are likely to get a meeting with Mayor Andy Skibitsky to discuss the recent drop in the mandatory minimums in fire department crews, but the mayor supports the recent budget cutting move.

Mike Sawicki, president of the local Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, requested a meeting with Skibitsky and Town Administrator Jim Gildea in a letter Wednesday to discuss the move which is opposed by the FMBA. In June, the fire department cut the mandatory minimum on fire crews from seven to six, which the FMBA has been opposing on public safety grounds.

"The main thing is the safety of ourselves and the residents," Sawicki said. "That's the goal for everyone. The main goal is to have myself and the vice president sit down with the mayor and Mr. Gildea and see where we are going forward. Is this a budgetary item or public safety."

Sawicki said the drop could jeopardize the safety of firefighters and residents. Currently the department is operating with two nine man crews and two eight man crews. The department currently has two job openings that have not filled due to the town's hiring freeze.

Deputy Fire Chief David Kelly said in a previous interview that the move was done due to the town's budget crisis and the rise in overtime among firefighters. He said the move would not jeopardize public safety.

Skibitsky said he agrees with the need to make the cut due to budget concerns and does not see a public safety concern to it. He said he is more than willing to hold the meeting with Sawicki, noting he had discussed the possibility of a meeting last month to discuss on-going budget and contract issues. The FMBA and the town signed a new contract this spring calling for a one year salary freeze and additional givebacks from firefighters.

"I will meet with them any time," Skibitsky said. "We will not do anything to put firefighters in harm's way."

Sawicki continued to voice his opposition to the drop, noting that he does not agree with the comparisons Kelly gave with nearby communities in making the cut. Kelly cited the minimums in Cranford and Summit in his comments, which Sawicki said should not be used given the larger size and home population of Westfield. He noted communities such as Rahway, Maplewood and Millburn would be the better towns to use as comparison. He said the crew sizes in these communities are higher than Westfield.

Sawicki said that while he understands the spreadsheets sitting before the town officials and fire department brass, he would like them to look behind the numbers and at the impact. Sawicki noted that when the department last dropped to a six man minimum in 2007, the department suffered back to back injuries in fires, along with being cited by state labor department officials for violation of the state's two in, two out rule. The two in, two out rule states that in non life saving fire situations, two fighters are in the blaze while two stand relief outside.

"At the end of the day i know they are talking because they want to save money," Sawicki said. "You have to weigh saving money vs. the public safety."