South Carolina Engine Company Back to Full-Time Service

December 2, 2009 – Thanks to an effective public education campaign, Columbia, SC Local 793’s Station 9 is open full-time once again with two fire trucks and eight fire fighters on duty. The station had been subject to brownouts, depending on shift staffing levels, since budget cuts were made in April 2009.

“We cannot honor our commitment to serve and protect the City’s citizens without our resources – especially engine companies,” says Local 793 President Michael Cosola. “We had no choice but to let the public know the dangers caused by the recent fire service cuts.”

Over the course of the last two years, the City of Columbia went from having $56 million in its reserve funds to just $2 million in the general fund. Due to the sharp financial decline, the City announced that drastic cuts would be made to the budget, effecting every City department.

The fire department eliminated paid holidays, furloughed fire fighters for 16 hours and reduced staffing for engines 8 and 9. The staffing reduction caused brownouts at two fire stations.

Using data from an IAFF-conducted GIS study, Local 793 launched a public information campaign using Facebook, Twitter and other media.

When asked during a local media interview if any of the candidates in the April 2010 mayoral campaign had earned their support, Cosola replied that any candidate Local 793 endorsed would need to make public safety a priority and address staffing levels.

Candidate Steve Benjamin responded by encouraging citizens to visit his web site to sign a petition to “put first responders first” and writing an opinion piece for The State newspaper.

The City reacted quickly, using the money saved by cutting fire fighter holiday pay to keep Engine 9 open full-time. “We are pleased that this money is staying within the fire department, but we cannot rest until Engine 8 is also fully staffed,” says Cosola.

Local 793 has not officially endorsed any candidate for mayor, but hope to do so shortly.