Springfield Firefighters Local 333 Criticize City and Fire Administration

The Springfield Professional Firefighters Local 333 has criticized the city of Springfield and its fire administration following a directive that resulted in the temporary removal of a fire station from service.

According to the union, Station 6, located on South Charleston Pike, was scheduled to be out of service from 7 a.m. To 7 p.m., with only medic and ambulance coverage available from 7 p.m. Until 7 a.m. On the following Monday.

The organization used social media to alert the community that emergency responses in the affected areas would be delayed due to the lack of first due fire and EMS coverage.

Directives on Forced Overtime

The International Association of Firefighters Local 333 (IAFF 333) stated that the Fire Rescue Division administration and the City of Springfield implemented a directive aimed at reducing forced overtime.

Under this plan, instead of mandating that members work overtime shifts, the city may utilize browning out, which involves the temporary removal of a single engine or an entire fire/EMS combo company from service.

The union acknowledged that mandating overtime is disruptive to the lives and families of its members and that eliminating such requirements has consequences.

Springfield Professional Firefighter Local 333 and its executive board would like to make the community aware that if this directive/plan is followed, it will result in a lack of first due fire coverage, a lack of first due EMS coverage and a delayed response to an emergency situation

Springfield Professional Firefighters Local 333

Staffing and Recruitment Challenges

The staffing issues contributing to these service reductions have been a point of contention between the union and city leadership. The union has previously pushed back against city efforts to expand the candidate pool by lowering entry requirements.

In 2017, the city lowered the passing grade for the firefighter written exam from 70 to 66. City Manager Jim Bodenmiller stated at the time that consultants recommended the change to increase the number of potential candidates and argued that the difference would not impact the quality of applicants, as psychiatric evaluations, interviews, and physical tests remain part of the process.

Andrew Rigsbee, president of IAFF Local 333, argued that lowering standards diminishes candidate quality and does not address the root causes of recruitment, and retention.

Rigsbee stated that the city should instead focus on providing a competitive benefits and wage package, as well as improving working conditions.

The union noted that Springfield’s call volume is significantly higher than other cities of similar size. While cities of Springfield’s size typically handle between 10,000 and 11,000 calls annually, Rigsbee reported that Springfield sees 18,000 calls.

This disparity in workload and wages has led some employees to leave for smaller departments that offer better pay.