Widow Says Worcester Jeopardizes Firefighters

Widow says firefighters in jeopardy

NICK KOTSOPOULOS
Reprinted with Permission, Telegram & Gazette

WORCESTER -- The widow of one of the six firefighters killed when the former Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. building burned contends the city has been jeopardizing firefighters' safety by not adequately funding equipment and personnel needs.

Michelle R. Lucey of Leicester, widow of Firefighter Jeremiah M. Lucey, yesterday sharply criticized the city administration for not spending money over the years to buy key pieces of equipment, such as thermal imaging cameras and defibrillators.

She pointed out that the Fire Department had only recently been able to buy some of that equipment, because of generous donations from the public.

“Public safety and the safety of your employees should be the number one priority in this city,” Mrs. Lucey testified before the City Council. The council was considering the Fire Department's $26.2 million budget for fiscal 2001.

“It is appalling to think that on Dec. 3, a city this size had to borrow a thermal imaging camera from a small town,” she added. “It seems to me that when it comes to the Fire Department, the city fails to see their value. The public, however, now knows the level of commitment these men bring to the job. It will be interesting to see if this city management matches that level of commitment.”

Mrs. Lucey was joined at the budget hearing by Kathleen L. Spencer, widow of warehouse fire victim Lt. Thomas E. Spencer. Several firefighters attended the session and applauded Mrs. Lucey after her emotional speech. Mrs. Lucey repeatedly underscored what she believes to be the city's lack of financial commitment to the Fire Department.

“What has this city done for these firefighters since the Dec. 3 tragedy?” Mrs. Lucey asked. “Well, I can tell you this, the Fire Department now has 13 of its 24 needed defibrillators, none of which the city has purchased. The Fire Department now has five thermal imaging cameras, none of which the city has purchased.

“Firefighters also have to share radios when entering a burning building,” she added. “With the high technology of today, this is unbelievable. This city needs to purchase radios for its employees so each on-duty firefighter has their own individual communications device.

“The purchase of 50 radios is a small price to pay to support the firefighters in doing their job. We have already all paid the highest price possible.”

Fire Chief Dennis L. Budd said his department needs at least 45 radios so each on-duty firefighter could have one. He said the estimated cost of the radios totals about $120,000.

Chief Budd said he would not be able to purchase radios out of next fiscal year's $550,000 capital budget because most of that will be used to purchase a new firetruck. He said the Fire Department would need a capital budget of about $900,000 to meet all its equipment needs next year.

“We're the second largest city in New England, but we have not had a sufficient budget to replace our capital equipment on a yearly basis,” the chief said. “For next fiscal year, we have a $550,000 cap. This year, we had a $500,000 cap. When you have to purchase a new firetruck, everything else pretty much gets cut out of the budget because of the cost of the truck.”

City Manager Thomas R. Hoover defended his administration's commitment to the Fire Department, saying public safety and the safety of its employees has always been a top priority of his.

Mr. Hoover said that, while he decides how much money a municipal department receives for capital expenditures each year, he generally leaves it up to the department head to decide which priorities shall be met. He said the purchase of a new fire engine was Chief Budd's top priority, while the purchase of additional radios was ranked 25th.

“The fact is that the city has only so much money and we have to prioritize what we use our money for,” Mr. Hoover said. “Out of our $10 million capital budget, most of that money is given to the Police and Fire departments.”

Mayor Raymond V. Mariano said he was “flabbergasted” to learn that firefighters have to share radios at fires. He said he continues to be embarrassed that citizens have to be donating money to the Fire Department so it can purchase key pieces of equipment.

Mr. Mariano vowed to withhold all capital funding, except for emergencies, until the city manager comes up with another $200,000 in capital funds for the Fire Department so it can purchase radios and self-contained breathing apparatus.

Mr. Hoover, meanwhile, said he would like to see the fire chief consider looking at adjusting the priorities in his capital budget so he can make the radio and air tank purchases within his department's $550,000 capital budget.

“We should not try to rob Peter to pay Paul,” Mr. Hoover said.

In an interview after the hearing, Mrs. Lucey said she decided to address the City Council because she wanted to make the public aware of the equipment and personnel needs of the Fire Department.

She said the public is aware that part of the reason Worcester received an All-America City award last weekend was because of sentiment for the six “fallen heroes.”

“As I sit through this meeting, I now understand why my husband would come home feeling anger and disappointment, knowing once again that the Worcester Fire Department was on the bottom of the food chain,” Mrs. Lucey said. “I think it's high time that this All-America City stands behind its Fire Department and makes a commitment to follow through and find the money in the budget to protect its employees.”