BUDGET PROPOSAL ASSAILED : FIREFIGHTERS SAY CUTS ENDANGER CITY.Byline: Rick Orlov Orlov (Орлóв) is the name of a Russian noble family which produced several distinguished statesmen, diplomatists and soldiers. The family first gained distinction in the person of four Orlov brothers, of whom the senior was Catherine the Great's Daily News Staff Writer About 500 firefighters marched Monday Monday: see week. on City Hall to protest Mayor Richard Ri·chard , Joseph Henri Maurice Known as "Rocket." 1921-2000. Canadian hockey player. A right wing for the Montreal Canadiens (1942-1960), he led his team to eight Stanley Cup championships and was the first player to score 50 goals in a Riordan's 1996-97 budget, which increases overall Fire Department spending by $5.5 million but cuts programs they say will endanger en·dan·ger tr.v. en·dan·gered, en·dan·ger·ing, en·dan·gers 1. To expose to harm or danger; imperil. 2. To threaten with extinction. public safety. Union leaders say the department's $286 million budget would result in $9.3 million in cuts that would eliminate the equivalent of 168 firefighter positions. ``I think it's important somebody starts talking about this,'' Ken Buzzell, president of United Firefighters of Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , told the City Council's ad hoc committee ad hoc committee A committee formed with the purpose of addressing a specific issue or issues, which theoretically is disbanded once its raison d'etre is finished on the budget. ``If the mayor wants us to reduce the level of service, then somebody has to step up to the plate and tell us what portion of the city to abandon. Firefighters and paramedics don't believe the replacement of firefighters and paramedics with body bags is an acceptable policy.'' Fire Chief Bill Bamattre defended the budget, saying he concentrated on keeping field staffing levels in the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. and other areas the same while making cuts in other areas. To put more firefighters on duty, Bamattre said the department plans to close the Fire Prevention Bureau and transfer its 28 uniformed personnel to fire stations. It also plans to conclude a program for hazardous materials in compliance with state law and end an underground tank inspection programs because there have been no new permit applications. It will affect eight firefighters and five civilians who will be transferred to the field or to other work. The biggest cut is eliminating 140 unfilled positions that would allow the department to hire new firefighters. It is a savings of $1.1 million, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the budget. Bamattre told the committee that the department has no plans to hire any new firefighters during this coming year, with the next classes expected in the 1997-98 fiscal year. City Budget Director Chris O'Donnell said the pool has not been used for several years because it is cheaper to use overtime pay than hire new firefighters with their salaries and pension requirements. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos PHOTO (1) About 500 firefighters march to City Hall on M onday to protest budget cuts. (2) Under Mayor Richard Riordan's budget, no new firefighters could be hired until 1997-98. Phil McCarten/Daily News |
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