For Immediate Release

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Whitman Voters Approve Budget Override to Fund Increased Fire Department Staffing

WHITMAN — Chief Timothy Grenno is pleased to announce that Whitman voters approved an override of Proposition 2 1/2 that will allow the Whitman Fire Department to hire three additional first responders to more adequately staff shifts.

On Saturday, May 20, voters authorized a $310,000 override to fund the first staffing increase of firefighter/EMT-paramedics for the department in more than 50 years. During that time, the department’s annual call volume has climbed by 177 percent.

“I am grateful to Whitman’s voters for endorsing this override proposal,” Chief Grenno said. “Being able to add an additional first responders to each shift will help us better serve the people of Whitman and be better prepared to handle multiple calls simultaneously, increasing public safety for the entire community.”

The Whitman Fire Department’s shifts have been staffed by five first responders since it became a full-time department 1965, even as yearly calls increased from just under 500 in 1965 to well over 2,600 last year.

“Our department has seen its workload increase consistently for decades,” Chief Grenno added. “This is the most effective way for us to be able to enhance our ability to respond to calls for service while minimizing the cost to taxpayers.”

The average yearly impact to taxpayers for the staffing increase will be $56.18, or $14.88 per quarter.

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