ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 10, 1997 TAG: 9704100028
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRISTINA NUCKOLS THE ROANOKE TIMES
Elmer Hodge is proposing the use of part-time employees to make up the difference.
Roanoke County may resort to adding part-time paramedic firefighters to beef up emergency staffing in the Hollins area.
County Administrator Elmer Hodge made his budget recommendations to the Board of Supervisors late Tuesday. His proposal included $102,000 for three new full-time emergency workers.
That's two short of Fire and Rescue Chief Rick Burch's request for five full-time firefighters to staff the ladder truck stationed in Hollins. Burch told supervisors during a March budget session that the Hollins ladder truck failed to respond to 219 of 349 calls last year because there were too few firefighters on duty during daylight hours.
Hodge is proposing the use of part-time employees to make up the difference rather than granting Burch's full request. Supervisors took no formal action on the recommendation. They will vote on the full budget in early June. However, only one supervisor opposed Hodge's proposal.
Hollins Supervisor Bob Johnson objected to using part-time employees, saying it would be harmful for the new workers and also would lower morale among existing county employees.
"There probably are some people out there who think we can get by with a part-time county administrator. You're selling yourself short," Johnson told Hodge. "You're going to have part-time people filling stopgaps for you. This is my cry in the wilderness. Nobody's going to listen to me, but you're dead wrong."
Hodge said he isn't supporting the Fire and Rescue Department's full request because it must be balanced with other needs. His budget proposal also includes two new full-time patrol officers for the Police Department.
The county already employs seven part-time paramedic firefighters to staff the Fort Lewis rescue squad on weekends and to fill in as needed during daylight hours at the county's 10 fire stations. Burch said he hopes to hire 10 more part-time workers.
"I think it can work, but it's really going to depend on the availability of the part-time people," he said Wednesday.
The county employs 56 full-time emergency workers. Fourteen are administrative positions.
Bruce Roy, president of the county firefighters' union, said his organization opposes hiring part-time workers.
"I'm wondering if what Roanoke County wants out of a workforce is part-time people with no pension and no health care," he said.
Hodge is proposing an increase of $481,500 for the Fire and Rescue Department budget, which this year totals $3.9 million. Some of that will go toward the purchase of a new engine this year for $480,000. Another $330,000 also is being designated from the county's capital improvements budget for bunk room additions at Hollins and Fort Lewis to accommodate volunteers on overnight duty.
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