Holyoke Firefighters Association

Local 1693-I.A.F.F., AFL-CIO

P.O. Box 1159, Holyoke, MA 01040

For immediate release:

December 3^rd, 2015

Fire Chief John Pond has informed Holyoke Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 1693, that starting December 4^th, 2015 the city will begin “brown-outs” of fire apparatus due to a shortfall in the overtime budget.  A “brown-out” occurs when a piece of apparatus is temporarily taken out of service when minimal staffing levels are not maintained. These cuts in service will affect the safety of the public and members of the Holyoke Fire Department.

The Union has not yet been informed what apparatus will be affected and we have offered to meet today to discuss other cost saving measures that could avoid these dangerous cuts in service. Chief John Pond has informed me he is unavailable today and a meeting is scheduled for December 9th.   

This change will not only affect fire and emergency response times, but will also have an effect on the City’s Fire Suppression Rating Schedule set by Insurance Services Office of Boston Ma. This rating is used by the insurance industry in setting property insurance rates. Just what effect this may have on rates is unclear, but there may be an increase in the cost of property insurance.  

 Holyoke is unique in the fact that it has buildings to support a population of over 70,000, many of which remain abandoned today. The City’s failure to appropriate proper funding or maintain the proper staffing levels has put Holyoke residents’ safety in jeopardy; along with the safety of the City’s firefighters. We implore City Officials to restore the proper funding immediately.

Christopher Butler, President

Holyoke Firefighters I.A.F.F Local 1693   

Brownouts press release December 2015.pdf