Residents living in the West Metro Fire Protection District could experience longer response times starting in January after the district implements a staff reduction as part of its budget cuts.
However, Chief Don Lombardi wants residents to know that the fire department will still come when it’s called.
“Our firefighters are as good as you get,” Lombardi said. “We are stewards. We have to figure out the best service.”
The reduction, spurred by a failed mill levy question in May, will cut $2.2 million from the district’s budget and take effect on Jan. 1. There will be seven fewer firefighters on each shift, and the fire engine at Station 14, 10305 W. Chatfield Ave., will be removed. Lombardi presented the proposed changes to the district’s board of directors in September, which the board later approved.
Lombardi said no uniformed officers will be laid off and all losses are through attrition and retirements. One civilian, a training center manager, was laid off.
There will be 20 demotions among the staff, and the overall force will be reduced from 341 to 315.
West Metro provides fire and rescue services to 247,648 people, including in Lakewood and Morrison and parts of Golden and Wheat Ridge. It also serves parts of unincorporated Littleton and Jefferson County and the communities of Roxborough and Waterton Canyon in Douglas County.
Mike Frainier, president of the West Metro Professional Firefighters Union, said the union was heavily involved in the discussions regarding the changes and firefighters have been kept up to date.
Frainier’s concerns mostly stemmed from response times and the safety of the firefighters, as it might take longer for a second unit to arrive.
“Anything that is happening we’re of course not happy about, but we know changes had to be made,” Frainier said.
In May, the district sought an increase of three mills, but it failed by fewer than 1,000 votes.
