After Debate, Oneonta Common Council
Approves $33,000 Fire, EMS Needs Study
By LIBBY CUDMORE • allotsego.com
ONEONTA – With hopes of better understanding community fire and EMS needs, Common Council, after some debate, agreed 5-3 this evening to authorize $33,000 for a comprehensive study of the Fire and EMS departments.
“We’ll finally have an outside source giving us input in hopes of saving us funds in the future,” said Council member Bob Brzozowski, Seventh Ward.
The study will be done by the Center for Public Safety Management. Last year, City Manager Martin Murphy proposed a full study of police, fire and EMS, but council vetoed, citing cost concerns.
This study will focus on workload and staffing issues by analyzing the number of service calls, as well as performance indicators such as response time and multiple unit dispatching. They also do ride-alongs, review case files and observe dispatch operations, compiling the data into a study they present to the city.
“This has nothing to do with the ability of the department to do their jobs,” said Council member Chip Holmes. “To get outside eyes doesn’t mean we don’t trust you, but Dick Miller taught me that you get professionals in to do their jobs.”
