NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Nashville Firefighters Question Chief's Leadership

Nashville Firefighters Question Chief's Leadership

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nashville firefighters are challenging the leadership of the chief.

Firefighters said proposed cuts in the new budget will jeopardize citizens' safety.

"It's a tough time and I think we need to realize that," said Nashville Fire Chief Steve Halford.

He plans to expand ambulance service and rollback, layoff or eliminate 49 positions.

The firefighters union objects. More than 1,400 members received ballots calling for a no confidence vote on Halford.

"They're very, very upset," said Doug Conquest, president of Nashvile Firefighters and Fire Service Employees Association Local 140. "We're robbing Peter to pay Paul. We take on a division to increase another division.

Conquest said the cuts will hurt service.

"We feel like in the long term this is going to affect the safety and property of Nashvillians in Davidson County," he said.

He said he offered other options to save jobs and money, but got nowhere. The union membership sent out ballots, calling for a no-confidence vote on Halford.

Conquest said he anticipates the outcome will be no confidence.

The results won't be known for two weeks, but Conquest said a no confidence vote should embarrass the chief.

"It's a black eye when the people who work for you are not confident in your methodology in running the department," Conquest said.

Halford said the union concerns are job loss, not public safety.

"Our firefighters are not in danger. Our citizens are not in danger," he said.

Halford said he can't worry about the vote when he's trying to make the budget.

"If this vote comes out disfavorable -- it is what it is and they've sent their message," he said.

A no confidence vote is largely symbolic. Halford is sorry to see it happen, but said the vote won't change his plans for the budget.

The layoffs will move forward as planned.

The union said downsizing will spread things too thin, but Halford said no frontline firefighters lose their jobs.

"The fire chief has my confidence.  He has worked very hard," said Mayor Karl Dean on NewsChannel 5's OpenLine program Wednesday night. "He has been very responsive and responsible in the need to tighten our belts."

Dean said the overall budget cuts to the fire department are less than one percent and no firefighters are losing their jobs.

Dean appears every month on OpenLine on NewsChannel 5 Plus (cable channel 50).