Common Council is searching for ways the fire department could save money next year and Councillor Donnie Snook wonders if it would be a good idea to start utilising volunteers to supplement the 145 regular firefighters, especially in the rural parts of the city.
Fire Chief Kevin Clifford says volunteer firefighters can only be used in defensive operations and argues they would not make up for the loss of more than 50 regular firefighters since 1999.
Clifford says if he gets less money than what has been requested in next year’s budget, the use of volunteer firefighters is not a viable option.
