Reader comments
Salt Lake Council leery of closing fire station

Don't be fooled by the numbers provided by IAFF Local 1645. The "burning baby" dramatization is simply a scare tactic. The majority of the calls received by station #5 are non-emergency, non-life threatening calls. A dedicated advanced life support unit responding from there will actually allow other fire units to be available more, thus decreasing fire response times, not increasing them. Also, the heavy rescue team from station #5 will not be disbanned, just moved to another station, totally intact! I appluad the mayor for making a difficult, yet well-thought out and educated decision to reallocate resources in this city. At least no one is losing their job, we will probably get raises and the council will not have to raise taxes. Sounds like a great compromise to me, plus, the CERT program will finanlly be funded and staffed well enough to train thousands of city residents in emergency prepardeness. Same level of service + pay raises + no new taxes = good policy. Thank you Mayor Becker for making the tough decisions.

Every municipality is facing hard financial times. Even so, it is not responsible to suggest closing a fire station in the center of Salt Lake City. Salt Lake Fire, like every fire department that provides fire and EMS services responds on more medical calls than fire. It's always been that way and it always will be. EMS is a critical public safety mission for all fire departments. Just as critical as extinguishing a structure fire when the need arises. That said, there are creative ways to reduce costs and maintain the ability to deliver essential services from station 5. Local 1645, city and department leadership need to step out-of-the-box and look at non-traditional ways of solving these on-going fiscal versus service delivery issues. A new fire chief with a new perspective will help alot,so what's taking so much time? It's amazing that these types of issues surface from politicians who are sworn to protect their constituants. Why is public safety always the sacrificial lamb? Why not public works, parks, streets, and other services. It's politics, and some times politics stinks.

Get the Fire Dept out of the EMS business and let Gold Cross and Southwest provide that service. They don't rely on taxpayer monies. Let those that use the service pay for the service that is how you can save money

It is very discomforting to know that because the Fire Chief, Dennis Mckone, stated his concerns to the city council on Tuesday regarding Becker's plans, that on Wednesday May 14th he was forced into resignition from his position by request of Mayor Becker. Becker didn't even have the guts to do it himself, he had one of the people who work for him do it. McKone was told that he did not support Mayor Becker and therefore he shall either resign or be terminated from his position. Isn't it McKone's job to have opinions regarding these issues? McKone never stated that he did not support Becker, but that he had concerns for the loss of jobs and the the 32% of fires that did take place. It's great to know that the Mayor can fire someone for doing their job and then use saved budget money from getting rid of the firemen on 9th and 9th and the firehouse itself on building bike trails.

Well here we go again. It seems like whenever there
are cuts to be made, the Fire Dept. and public safety
are the first on the chopping block. How many times in the last 30 years has that happened?
Many. I was unaware McKone was asked to resign. It is too bad. He would have been a great choice to fill the vacant Chief position. I would be willing to bet that Mayor Becker does not live anywhere near
Fire Station #5. Okay Fireman Kris what makes you think raises will come if the closure happens?
You probably believe in the tooth fairy as well.