Dear Editor:
I would like to comment on Hoboken, a city and a Fire Department I am familiar with. Judy Tripodi, the recently appointed fiscal monitor, along with her budget and financial people, apparently has targeted the Police and Fire Departments for reductions in their forces. I find it difficult to comprehend how anyone could carry out or threaten to initiate a reduction in first responders for a densely populated city where many people reside in high value homes containing expensive household articles. All occupants in the city have a right to be properly protected by the Fire and Police Departments no matter where they reside. I have to wonder if she had advisors in this matter. Acting Chief Richard Blohm gave a professional opinion of the situation Wednesday evening on a local TV station. He has the duty of managing the department, yet the fiscal monitor bypassed his authority and input. He should have been involved and consulted, in case he had a better plan. Fire Departments in Hudson County are not over staffed. The pressure, stress and the required protective clothing fire fighters wear and the tools they carry curtails the period of time an incident commander can expect a human to endure during an incident, without a period of rest.
I don’t know if the monitor is relying upon mutual aid from surrounding departments should a reduction in fire fighting forces in Hoboken become a reality. Mutual aid is effective but it is not the determining factor in staffing a fire department. Before agreeing to any reduction in fire fighting forces, the officials in Hoboken should look into national manning standards and fire protection recommendations for the densely populated city to avoid possible law suits which occur on occasion due to improper manning and the inability to supply the proper amount of protection for the residents and taxpayers.
We reside in an area which as we know is a possible target for terrorists, that is a fact. The public is entitled to at least adequate quality protection. I anticipate once this demotion process and the “bumping” begins, it will leave an opening to reduce personnel in both departments. People who retire may not be replaced and that would not be worth the loss of protection. I sincerely hope the fiscal monitor and the political leaders in Hoboken find an alternative to the monitor’s plan which will in my opinion hurt morale in the Police and Fire Departments and affect the safety of the citizens in the City of Hoboken as it certainly has in Clifton, where despite opposition from residents, property owners and concessions by the Union, 16 fire fighters were officially laid off. Everyone loses when there are reductions in public safety. Find a means to reorganize if necessary without compromising the safety of the public and those who protect them.
Robert A. Aiello
Retired Chief West New York Fire Dept.
Former Chairman/Member, North Hudson Regional Fire Dept.