Smoke signals

    Mayor Michael Nutter and the Philadelphia Fire Department are at odds over the cause of the increase in fire-related deaths last year. Thirty-three deaths were reported in 2010, as opposed to the record low of 30 in 2009.

     

    Nutter said on KYW’s “Ask the Mayor” today the increase is the result of faulty or nonexistent smoke detectors.

    But Local 22 President Bill Gault says the number is up because of the city-enforced rolling brownouts, temporarily closing engine companies and creating more work for the firefighters on duty.

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    Nutter said the brownout policy will be reviewed at the end of the fiscal year.

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