The union’s report versus the consultant’s report

Read entire report from IAFF Local 215

Read 2005 report from Matrix Consulting Group

If you don’t do so already, make sure you become a regular reader of thehousewatch.com. Erich Roden’s site is always informative and well written. More important, unlike my friend FireGeezer Bill Schumm and me, Erich is not a washed-up, old guy (Bill already took a shot at me today at the end of his Morning Lineup). Erich is out there fighting fires and saving lives in Milwaukee.

They are also trying to fight budget cuts in Milwaukee. As we have been reporting, Milwaukee is far from alone, but they have been seeing this happen for about seven years. I guess you could make the case that death by a thousand cuts is still death.

This week thehousewatch.com alerts us to a report by IAFF Local 215 called F.I.R.E. Measure, A Frontline Analysis Of Increased Risk In The City Of Milwaukee. It is an attempt to give an analysis of the budget cuts from a firefighter’s point of view. It is also an effort to fight the consultant’s perspective. Mayor Tom Barrett has used an October, 2005 report from Matrix Consulting Group as justification for staff reductions.

Below is the summary from Local 215’s report. Above are links to see both reports. Read them and you be the judge if the Milwaukee firefighters have made a good case and if this has a chance to be an effective means to combat the budget cutting.

We look forward to the updates on thehousewatch.com.