City of Philadelphia - File #: 040832

• File #: 040832
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: ADOPTED
• File created: 9/23/2004
• In control: Committee of the Whole
• Title: Authorizing City Council's Committee of the Whole to hold public hearings to investigate the Philadelphia Fire Department's proposed deployment; and, in furtherance of such investigation, authorizing the issuance of subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents to the full extent authorized under section 2-401 of the Home Rule Charter.
• Sponsors: Councilmember DiCicco, Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember Miller, Councilmember Mariano, Councilmember Cohen, Council President Verna, Councilmember Clarke, Councilmember Goode, Councilmember Rizzo, Councilmember Nutter, Councilmember Krajewski, Councilmember Tasco, Councilmember Ramos, Councilmember O'Neill, Councilmember Kelly

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
11/22/2004	0	Committee of the Whole	HEARING NOTICES SENT
11/22/2004	0	Committee of the Whole	HEARING HELD
11/22/2004	0	Committee of the Whole	RECESSED
9/23/2004	0	CITY COUNCIL	ADOPTED & REFERRED
9/23/2004	0	CITY COUNCIL	READ
9/23/2004	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced	Pass

Title
Authorizing City Council's Committee of the Whole to hold public hearings to investigate the Philadelphia Fire Department's proposed deployment; and, in furtherance of such investigation, authorizing the issuance of subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents to the full extent authorized under section 2-401 of the Home Rule Charter.
Body
WHEREAS, Former Fire Commissioner Harold Hairston, Managing Director Philip Goldsmith and Mayor John Street informed Philadelphia City Council of drastic changes to the deployment of fire apparatus throughout the City on June 25, 2004. Previously, the Administration announced their plan for deployment to the Fire Fighters' Union and the press on June 21, 2004; and

WHEREAS, The proposed deployment recommends eliminating 4 engine companies and 4 ladder companies and the transfer of 3 ladder companies and 3 other units from their current location to alternate locations; and

WHEREAS, The Administration has not offered sufficient evidence that Philadelphians' homes, businesses and physical well-being will remain safe; nor has the Administration provided adequate statistical data to show how this deployment was designed; and

WHEREAS, The Mayor's 21st Century Review Forum explained the importance of an open, independent review as part of any potential fire department reduction process and recommended "the appointment of an independent commission with the authority to hold public hearings, take testimony, and make recommendations for consolidation or closure.." Despite this recommendation, the Administration never engaged in an open review process despite repeated requests for information by the Fire Fighters' Union and members of City Council; and

WHEREAS, In April 2004, Commissioner Hairston testified that the City had not yet identified specific fire companies slated for closure, but agreed to present City Council with information a...