February 2, 2010 - Four firefighters have been laid off by Lancaster Mayor Richard Gray today. Mr. Gray's action comes after the Lancaster Professional Firefighter's Association rejected a "final offer" of concessions dictated by the city's administration.

Immediately following Mr. Gray's re-election, he announced major staffing reductions beginning in 2010. These reductions, 9 firefighters removed from duty and 3 vacancies to remain unfilled, have resulted in an overall reduction of 15% in the Fire Bureau's response capability.

Representatives from the LPFFA attempted in a series of negotiations with the city to prevent layoffs through budgetary adjustments and voluntary contract concessions. Unfortunately the city administration balked at each of the LPFFA's offers. It should be noted that firefighters had offered to forgo any pay raises for both 2010 and 2011 in exchange for a guarantee against Fire Bureau layoffs. Inexplicably, the city administration continually rejected the LPFFA's offers.

Instead, on January 20, 2010, City Administrator Patrick Hopkins issued a "final offer" to the firefighters. LPFFA members were asked to forgo 2.25% of their contractually dictated 2010 salary increase, and clothing allowances.

In addition to these contract concessions, the city's offer required firefighters to vote to approve a drastic change in their work schedule.

LPFFA members overwhelmingly rejected the city's final offer solely because of this schedule change.

We understand the frustration expressed by Lancaster's citizens over this matter. This unfortunate turn of events could, and should have been prevented.

The LPFFA believes that the city's proposed work schedule change is both dangerous for city residents and firefighters, and unacceptably inequitable for our firefighters.

Historically, through many administrations, our manpower has steadily decreased. For the good of this city and the safety of its citizens, the administration and the firefighters need to work together to stop this dangerous trend.

The proposed 24 hour work schedule is not the answer to the city's financial problems. This change would add an additional 8 weeks of scheduled work per year for each firefighter without an increase in compensation. After many discussions concerning this issue with community members, we have yet to hear from a single citizen who supported such a scheme.

Most importantly, however, is the fact that the work schedule change, by its very design, is intended to further reduce manpower in the Fire Bureau. This cannot be allowed to happen.

In the aftermath of the layoffs, we've all witnessed Mr. Gray's portrayal of the firefighters in the media. We believe Mr. Gray's portrayal of this situation to be both dishonest and inaccurate.  Our good faith efforts to reach an agreement with the administration were intentionally rebuked to allow the administration to justify layoffs.  Due to these actions on the part of the city's administration, everyone in Lancaster is now at risk.

Make no mistake, lives are on the line. It is time for both sides to take a step back and refocus.

Mr. Gray's brinksmanship policy making has made the city less safe, discredited his office and tarnished the reputation firefighters have spent 128 years earning. The firefighters must now redouble their efforts to show both the policy makers and community members that they are willing to work with the city for the best interests of the community.

Finally, we all must trust that Lancaster's firefighters are acting in the best interests of the community.

We always have, and we always will.