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. .. <br />~s Z 1 ' ,,,~,. <br />.~~~~ <br />North Olmsted City Council <br />, August 7, 1980 <br />Page 6. <br />~~ <br />While these ratios do not in any way reflect the Mayor's view on <br />how many Paramedics are actually needed, they do point to lower <br />comparative costs for those cities with percentage premiums where <br />ratios of Firemen to Paramedics show fewer Paramedics. <br />We are all concerned with costs. I, as Mayor, have the prime responsi- <br />bility for not only keeping them under control, but also keeping them <br />in line for everyone. <br />Parity between the Police and Fire Departments is another controversial <br />subject, only because there may not be any well-defined criteria for <br />determining whether it is justified. But I would like to go on record <br />as supporting the concept of parity, since I believe the two Depart- <br />ments share enough common responsibilities to be considered in this <br />way. Morale is a factor to be considered, too, and when one of the <br />two Departments earns considerably more than the other, morale suffers. <br />Perhaps at some time in the future, some type of premium arrangement <br />might be feasible for the Fire Department in North Olmsted. But this <br />is not the time - economically, or in the interests of fairness to <br />all employees. <br />The Fire Department, for instance, is badly in need of ec{uipment. <br />Without the proper tools, even the best-paid Fireman or Fireman/ <br />Paramedic is less of an asset to the city ahd to the residents he <br />serves. <br />I urge Council to reconsider in light of the information I have presen- <br />ted and uphold my veto of Ordinance 80-91. <br />Very truly yours, <br />CITY 0 TH OLMSTED <br />' ---~ <br />e ~ <br />Robert W. Swietyniowsk' <br />Mayor <br />