Wisconsin fire department may alter overtime policies to save money
The fire department of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, is considering altering its time and attendance policies to absorb budget cuts caused by the nearly $1.5 million deficit the city is set to face in 2012, according to the Stevens Point Journal.
Overall, it is proposing cuts of $141,502, and is budgeting for $95,000 in overtime for 2012. This year, the annual overtime budget was exceeded by August - a rate which, if it continues into next year, could cause the closure of the department's second fire station during periods of short-staffing.
The appointment of Tracey Kujawa to the position of chief earlier this month is expected to help mitigate expenses related to overtime. Previous to Kujawa's appointment, the department had been lacking a full-time chief. This resulted in firefighters having to put in extra employee attendance to fulfil minimum staffing quotas.
Elsewhere in the country, Camden County, Georgia, is considering training local prison inmates as firefighters to reduce overtime payouts and keep fire insurance costs low for residents, according to the Florida Times-Union.
Overall, it is proposing cuts of $141,502, and is budgeting for $95,000 in overtime for 2012. This year, the annual overtime budget was exceeded by August - a rate which, if it continues into next year, could cause the closure of the department's second fire station during periods of short-staffing.
The appointment of Tracey Kujawa to the position of chief earlier this month is expected to help mitigate expenses related to overtime. Previous to Kujawa's appointment, the department had been lacking a full-time chief. This resulted in firefighters having to put in extra employee attendance to fulfil minimum staffing quotas.
Elsewhere in the country, Camden County, Georgia, is considering training local prison inmates as firefighters to reduce overtime payouts and keep fire insurance costs low for residents, according to the Florida Times-Union.
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