[quote name='Ladder 68' timestamp='1301523801' post='431974']
Stupid question time...
What is transpiring with PBF and Wilkensburg with regard to coverage/merger/take over? And is this planned anywhere else in the area?
Thanks in advance.
[/quote]
To expand on what's already been said...........
The City of PGH has been contracted to do Wilkinsburg's garbage collection for a few years now. As far as I know, there is not immediate intention for this to be anything other than outsourcing fire protection like they did with the garbage. This is not a "merger" from what I've been told, the Wilkinsburg FD will cease to exist come April 1 @ 8am. However, considering the economic times, an annexation at some point down the line wouldn't be surprising.
Currently, the Wilkinsburg FD operates 2 engines and 1 truck front-line with a minimum staffing of 8 per shift and typically works at that number. The boro itself is relatively small (only a couple sq miles). PBF has been providing mutual aid to them on greater alarm fires for years now. Under the new arrangement, a single engine (#16) will be housed in Wilkinsburg. Engine 16 will be treated as any other PBF unit in terms of dispatch/response. Engine 16 will be responding as part of the 1st alarm to certain parts of the City. In the reverse, a full PBF first alarm will be sent to fires in Wilkinsburg. Currently the 1st alarm there is only the on-duty staffing. More than likely, that response would include E16, E17, E15, E18(Quint), T17 plus 2 BCs and MAC-1 (air unit).
All of WFDs personnel have been offered jobs at PBF as part of this agreement. It is my understanding that pretty much everybody has accepted employment. I know at least 1 has chosen to retire instead, there might be another, but I'm not positive on that. Other than having to sell houses and uproot their families, this is a very good thing for these guys. The young guys will be seeing a jump in pay right away. The top guys will take a small hit on their base pay for the first year, but can easily make up for it with plenty of OT available. They will also be seeing a reduced work week. PBF is a 42 hour/wk average. WFD was possibly as high as 56 - can't remember if they do Kelly days or not.
They are taking a little hit upfront on Pension because of the disparity in the 2 current plans - roughly 2 years in the WFD plan gets them 1 year credit in PBF. If the older guys work a couple years, they'll end up getting a better pension in the end.
PBF "reserved" several spots at E16 for some of the WFD guys to continue to work there. I remember the number 12 being thrown out there. Additionally, WFD has recently been awarded an apparatus grant for a rescue/pumper. The apparatus will still be acquired and will be assigned as E16 upon its arrival. Side note: Rescue services are provided by PGH EMS within the City, however PBF will be providing those services within Wilkinsburg.
At this time, I'm not aware of any plans for more of this. However, there are a couple spots that could be possibilities. I'm pretty sure the intent is to see how this one plays out before doing it again.
Once this changeover happens, there will then be only 3 all-career fire departments in the county (Allegheny) - City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County Airport Authority (PIA) and City of McKeesport.
Stupid question time...
What is transpiring with PBF and Wilkensburg with regard to coverage/merger/take over? And is this planned anywhere else in the area?
Thanks in advance.
[/quote]
To expand on what's already been said...........
The City of PGH has been contracted to do Wilkinsburg's garbage collection for a few years now. As far as I know, there is not immediate intention for this to be anything other than outsourcing fire protection like they did with the garbage. This is not a "merger" from what I've been told, the Wilkinsburg FD will cease to exist come April 1 @ 8am. However, considering the economic times, an annexation at some point down the line wouldn't be surprising.
Currently, the Wilkinsburg FD operates 2 engines and 1 truck front-line with a minimum staffing of 8 per shift and typically works at that number. The boro itself is relatively small (only a couple sq miles). PBF has been providing mutual aid to them on greater alarm fires for years now. Under the new arrangement, a single engine (#16) will be housed in Wilkinsburg. Engine 16 will be treated as any other PBF unit in terms of dispatch/response. Engine 16 will be responding as part of the 1st alarm to certain parts of the City. In the reverse, a full PBF first alarm will be sent to fires in Wilkinsburg. Currently the 1st alarm there is only the on-duty staffing. More than likely, that response would include E16, E17, E15, E18(Quint), T17 plus 2 BCs and MAC-1 (air unit).
All of WFDs personnel have been offered jobs at PBF as part of this agreement. It is my understanding that pretty much everybody has accepted employment. I know at least 1 has chosen to retire instead, there might be another, but I'm not positive on that. Other than having to sell houses and uproot their families, this is a very good thing for these guys. The young guys will be seeing a jump in pay right away. The top guys will take a small hit on their base pay for the first year, but can easily make up for it with plenty of OT available. They will also be seeing a reduced work week. PBF is a 42 hour/wk average. WFD was possibly as high as 56 - can't remember if they do Kelly days or not.
They are taking a little hit upfront on Pension because of the disparity in the 2 current plans - roughly 2 years in the WFD plan gets them 1 year credit in PBF. If the older guys work a couple years, they'll end up getting a better pension in the end.
PBF "reserved" several spots at E16 for some of the WFD guys to continue to work there. I remember the number 12 being thrown out there. Additionally, WFD has recently been awarded an apparatus grant for a rescue/pumper. The apparatus will still be acquired and will be assigned as E16 upon its arrival. Side note: Rescue services are provided by PGH EMS within the City, however PBF will be providing those services within Wilkinsburg.
At this time, I'm not aware of any plans for more of this. However, there are a couple spots that could be possibilities. I'm pretty sure the intent is to see how this one plays out before doing it again.
Once this changeover happens, there will then be only 3 all-career fire departments in the county (Allegheny) - City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County Airport Authority (PIA) and City of McKeesport.
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