Cutbacks bring fire engine back online
With Columbia’s bad-to-worse budgeting and general financial problems, public safety in the city has received a serious hit. Fortunately, the fire station on Devine Street is back to full operating strength, bringing back an engine that had been shut down by budget cuts in the Spring.
The money isn’t coming from an increase in taxes or fees, though. Funding for the truck and three firefighters is coming directly from the city’s bravest giving up half their paid holidays. Chief Bradley Anderson said in The State, “It definitely will improve services not only in Engine 9’s primary response area, but it improves coverage throughout the city and county because of the fact that all of these stations work together in the system.”
Of course, proper funding of first responders is one of the top issues in the race for mayor.
“It’s bittersweet. I wish council would spend a little more time finding other ways to do it and not do it on the back of firefighters.”
“We’re in a worldwide recession and we’re able to maintain a high standard of public safety without anybody losing their jobs. It would be Cinderella to expect more.”
