Mean spirited sign displayed at fire union rally

The Mayor’s Office in Philadelphia flatly rejects claims made last week that recent fire department cuts have led to a spike in fire related fatalities. A memo released to news organizations from Doug Oliver, press secretary for Mayor Michael Nutter, said a fire fighters union advertisement is “not supported by the facts.”

Local 22 claim:

“Over the past month, a dozen people have been killed in fires – 10 times more than the same month last year.”

City’s response:

“Since the seven fire ladders and engines were decommissioned on January 5, there have been NO fire deaths in areas serviced by the decommissioned companies….”

“Fire deaths have NOT increased 10 times.  In 2006, there were 52 fire deaths.  In 2007, there were 47 and in 2008, there were 39.  This represents a 25% decrease in fire fatalities.”

Since this January was unusually cold, and the city responded to union charges of a greater monthly fatality rate with its own annual stats, we don’t know which party is more correct in its claims.

We do know that Mayor Nutter cut five engine companies and two ladder companies to save nearly $10 million per year in November. The city did not lay off any firefighters but re-assigned the personnel to other companies. The engine and ladder companies were closed on Jan. 5.

This is just one of the claims that the two sides have different views on. You can read more allegations by the fire fighters union here, and the city’s recent response here.