Lynchburg firefighters group calls for fairness in pay cuts

The Lynchburg Fire Fighters Association says public safety officers should face the same pay cuts as all other city employees.

The association posted a statement to its Web site calling it unfair to consider giving special treatment to public safety, a division comprised of fire, police and emergency dispatch.

Capt. Jason Campbell, president of the firefighters association, said that group wanted to clarify its position following the intense focus recently put on their salaries.

“We felt it was important that everyone understand that we believe the 3 percent reduction should be restored for all city employees, not just one particular group,” he said, adding they’ve been getting “beat up so to speak” by those who feel the division is attempting to put itself above all other city departments.

It’s been suggested by some that public safety officers, due to the nature and significance of their jobs, should be exempt from a 3 percent citywide pay cut built into the new budget. Those opposed to such a measure say a special exemption for one division would destroy morale among other employees.

Within public safety, the police have tended to be more vocal in their concerns about the pay cut, although the firefighters association has objected to the reduction and pledged to continue advocating for a return to full pay.

Both the firefighters association and the local chapter of the Police Benevolent Association are supporting a rally that will be held Tuesday to advocate for the preservation of public safety salaries.

Campbell said the LFFA statement, posted Thursday, was not meant to create a divide between the fire and police departments.

“We are not separating from the police department on this matter,” he said. “We still want to see the pay restored; we just want to see all city employees get their pay back, not just public safety.”

The president of the Blue Ridge chapter of the Police Benevolent Association said he did not want to see departments pitted against each other in the pay cut debate. Officer Doug Childress said the police were in strong support of restoring full pay for all employees but added he was not empowered to speak on behalf of the entire city work force.

“As president of the PBA, I can only speak about the needs of our members,” he said. “I’m not justified in speaking to the issues in other departments. I can’t speak for the firefighters or public works.”

Childress said he would like to see more employees, and citizens, as well, join the debate — regardless of which side they took.

“Everyone has an obligation to stand up and speak their mind,” he said. “Otherwise, how can you change anything?”

The statement issued by the firefighters association suggests that City Council should consider using its reserve fund to restore employee pay: “They are very proud of their ability to maintain the (reserve) fund balances, but it does come at the expense of City employees.”

Childress agreed, noting the reserves were there for emergencies.

“I would consider this an emergency,” he said, adding he hoped council would reexamine all its expenditures with a critical eye and search for a fresh approach to the way the city does business.

“I think we need to find new ways of doing things,” he said. “… I say don’t leave anything out.”

Council is scheduled to vote on the budget for the last time during a 5 p.m. meeting Tuesday.

Several people, including Campbell and Childress, have signed up to make formal addresses to council members before that vote takes place. A public rally will also be held at the foot of Monument Terrace from noon to 5 p.m.