Philadelphia firefighters will get hearing in City Council on transfers

A change that will transfer senior Philadelphia Firefighters to new assignments will receive a review in Philadelphia City Council.

Firefighters came out in force to support the resolution to hold a hearing mass transfers of veteran Philadelphia firefighters.

Firefighters Union Recording Secretary Michael Bresnan says the transfers will hurt their ability to protect residents and businesses.

“Some of these guys have been together 20 years and ultimately who is going to suffer is the citizens of Philadelphia, because these guys would die for each other, they would die for the citizens of Philadelphia because they trust each other,” said Bresnan. “All of that has gone out the window.”

Councilman Bobby Henon is a co-sponsor of the resolution, that won approval.

“I don’t think it’s fair and I think it absolutely has to be looked at deeper I would like to know the reason and the methodology for putting our citizens in harm’s way,” said Henon. 

Mayor Michael Nutter’s spokesman Mark McDonald says the transfers are designed to give firefighters more experience in fighting different kinds of fires.

A hearing date has not been set.