Whitefish going to 24/7 protection

Whitefish is poised to begin its around-the-clock fire and ambulance service on May 31, contingent on a final agreement between the city and the firefighters union.

Whitefish voters approved a new tax last year to raise $464,759 the first year to expand emergency services. The tax levy will be ongoing, costing homeowners about $100 to $150 a year or more depending on the assessed values of their homes.

The new tax revenue allowed the city to hire seven additional firefighter/paramedics and expand the department to have three rotating shifts of four emergency-service workers on each shift, with two "floaters' to cover leave time.

The new hires have been on board since April 13, training with the existing crew.

City Manager Chuck Stearns said the city recently reached a tentative agreement with the negotiating committee of Local 3995 of the International Association of Firefighters on a new, three-year collective bargaining agreement.

The union negotiating committee is recommending approval to its full membership, and Stearns said in a report to the City Council that both sides hope to sign a contract soon.

Once ratified, the agreement provides for the start-up of the 24-hour, seven-day-a-week coverage.

"The negotiations went very well," Stearns said. "All discussions were very professional and productive and both negotiating parties to the agreement are pleased with the result."

Burgeoning residential growth has caused the number of night calls to double in the last seven years in Whitefish, from 432 night calls in 2001 to roughly 900 night calls last year.

The new levy is the first increase in tax-supported funding for fire and ambulance services in 40 years.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at [email protected]