JEFFERSONVILLE — The Jeffersonville Fire Department should buy out employees burning light duty or off time, do away with fire inspector positions, change how overtime is calculated and operate fewer trucks at its downtown firehouse.

Those suggestions were contained in a recent statement by the Jeffersonville City Council in response to the department’s recent overtime overrun. The council also advises the department to consult with a fire chief from another municipality that has experienced similar problems. And they said it should consider schedule changes that would make the current 24-hour shifts into eight or 12-hour shifts.

Earlier this month, JFD Chief Eric Hedrick told the council that the department was already halfway through its annual overtime budget. As of Feb. 7, $92,000 was left in that fund and the department is paying two firefighters overtime each day in order to maintain contractually required staffing levels. Hedrick suggested hiring four more people, but the council wasn’t ready to do so. The exchange, which took place at the last council meeting, precipitated Thursday’s statement.

“In addressing the current overtime problem with the city of Jeffersonville Fire Department and in working toward solutions, the city council agrees with Mayor Mike Moore’s previously stated goals and policies of not increasing the size of government by adding new employees or increasing spending, but instead working toward fiscally conservative and fiscally responsible solutions,” according to the statement.

Further, it notes that the current number of firefighters employed by the city meets the recommendation set forth in a recent annexation study. That study was based on guidance from former fire chiefs, former and present council members, former mayors and a consulting firm from Indianapolis.

“The council does not believe the current overtime problem with the department to be the result of a shortage in the number of employees, but rather appears to be related to contract related issues and the amount of leave taken by the current employees,” according to the statement.



PROPOSALS, REACTIONS

“Our approach to it was what can we do to stop the bleeding right now,” said Councilman Nathan Samuel, who contributed to the statement.

Topping the list was reaching out to other departments for advice and considering changes from 24-hour shifts to 12- or eight-hours shifts.

“I have read this is more effective and saves money,” Samuel said. “It saves on time off, workers compensation claims.”

Travis Sharpe, fire union president, noted that a fire department in Washington, D.C., recently made such a change, but he was skeptical as to whether such shifts would work for a department the size of Jeffersonville, arguing it would limit available manpower.

The suggestion that employees on light duty or those burning off time should be bought out was also met with questions.

“That, in theory, is a good plan. However, I have some legal concerns,” Hedrick said.

He said the state pension fund board sets a firefighter’s retirement date. If an employee is removed from their position on the city salary ordinance, they may not have any benefits until they get to the state retirement date, he said.

The council’s suggestion that the Building Commissioner’s Office take over fire inspection duties wasn’t well received either.

“That’s a terrible, irresponsible idea,” Sharpe said. “They do a lot more than inspection.”

Mayor Mike Moore said if that was done, the department would still have to have investigators for arson cases. Based on that, he said, putting an inspector in the building office might be replicating duties.

Fire officials bristled less at the idea of changing how overtime is calculated.

Right now, overtime pay is based on a 40-hour week. That was changed from a 56-hour week in 2008, when the fire union wanted equality with how police overtime is paid. Before 2008, if both police and fire were working overtime at a special event, such as Thunder Over Louisville, the firefighters would have been paid less.

“We were told that could be managed,” Zastawny said.

Hedrick said he felt changing it was a good idea, but said it wouldn’t help greatly.

“The ultimate answer is we don’t have enough people,” he said.

By far, the proposal met with the most ire was a suggestion that would have firefighters at Fire Station No. 1, at the corner of Eighth and Wall streets, temporarily operating only a single apparatus.

“This is the one I have the biggest problem with,” Hedrick said. “That would involve less protection. Any less protection in any part of our city is irresponsible.”

“It amazes me we have a former firefighter on the council that would think that’s a good idea,” Sharpe said.

He was referencing Mike Smith, a former fire chief who’s now on the council. Smith did not return phone calls seeking comment for this story.

“We’re not saying you have to do it today. This is just something to consider,” Zastawny said.

He said property tax caps, sinking property values and the Clark County financial mandate all were factors tightening city revenue.

“We don’t want one city department to blow the entire budget,” Zastawny said.

Sharpe said the council’s responsibility is legislative and fiscal and the suggestion regarding station No. 1 steps into administrative territory.

Moore said he’s confident in Hedrick’s ability to administer the department and believes his plan to hire four more firefighters makes the most sense.

Even if the council did agree to make the hires, Councilman Dennis Julius pointed out earlier this month the department would be out of money before they’re able to get on the job.

“I’m glad the council’s coming up with some suggestions,” Moore said. “I think everything’s worth looking at.”

As of Thursday afternoon it was unclear as to whether the issue would be on the agenda during the council’s next meeting. That’s scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday.