Recently the candidates for mayor of DeKalb discussed staffing shortages within the DeKalb Fire Department. Those shortages have been documented in a Geographic Information System study on emergency service response capabilities.

The analysis, prepared by the International Association of Fire Fighters, examines response capabilities and prevailing staffing conditions. Based on a variety of best practices studies, the GIS analysis concluded that the DeKalb Fire Department does not comply with nationally established fire industry standards.

DeKalb’s noncompliance with national standards jeopardizes the safety of our citizens as well as the firefighters themselves.

The DeKalb Firefighters Local 1236 delivered to members of the DeKalb City Council and other city officials a copy of the GIS study on Jan 23. We take seriously our contractual and moral obligation to keep city officials informed of progress toward meeting minimum staffing requirements.

Since then, two developments have converged that exacerbate our efforts to achieve the full staffing requirements as called for in the GIS study.

First, economic pressures have come to bear on all segments of American society. Second, this issue has become a political discussion in the upcoming DeKalb city elections.

The GIS analysis is accurate, this we know. We have not asked any of the candidates to carry our message. The message itself is so powerful that we believe citizens and public officials alike should unite to assure the full and qualified staffing of our fire department.

As we continue forward, trust that our services will remain in the most professional regard. We have elected not to endorse a mayoral candidate this election and hope that the winning candidate will hold our services in the highest priority.

We will continue to press forth in our efforts to maintain our current staff and work to achieve appropriate staffing levels in the future for the safety of our firefighters and for our citizens.

Mike Thomas

DeKalb Firefighters

Local 1236

President