Oct 20, 2014 3 min read

Washington’s fire chief addressed East Washington Council before its Monday night voting meeting, prompting the members to heap praise onto the fire department, while one councilman apologized to him for comments made by other officials earlier this month.

City fire Chief Linn Brookman walked the council through the call volume in the borough this year, the training of his 21 firefighters and what borough residents pay compared to the department’s overall budget.

Brookman’s appearance came two weeks after the council asked for a detailed report on the number and types of calls the fire department responds to in the borough, and whether they should consider other fire protection options.

“We strive to do a good job,” Brookman said. “We’ve been recognized by the state in many categories … and I don’t know what else the borough wants.”

City firefighters have responded to 73 calls this year in East Washington that include medical emergencies, vehicle crashes and a “high majority of bats” in houses. East Washington Mayor Michael Gomber, who at a meeting earlier this month suggested possibly contracting with another neighboring community, said he was pleased with the chief’s information and the department’s fire protection. Gomber added he would like to see more details in future reports and asked if the fire department would be willing to conduct CPR training classes for borough residents.

“I think those are the only two things. Everything else, you guys do a great job,” Gomber said. “We’re brand-new, and we needed an idea what the expenses are.”

Gomber disputed he received a call list from the fire department or spoke to the chief earlier this year. He did locate last week a letter sent from former councilman Bill Adams to Washington Mayor Brenda Davis Feb. 13 requesting the list of calls over the past decade. That list, sent to Adams Feb. 28, was never brought to council’s attention or circulated among borough officials, Gomber said.

However, Councilman Blake McCandless said he saw the call list during a meeting earlier this year and did not know why other officials had not viewed it. He added he was disappointed to see comments by Councilwoman Tamara Chacko in which she questioned how often the fire department responds in the borough.

“I think we owe the chief and the city of Washington firefighters an apology for what has been said at this table, because I think they have done a great job,” McCandless said.

Gomber attributed the previous comments to a misunderstanding.

“I don’t think an apology is needed, Blake,” Gomber said.

The borough is paying the city $59,300 this year, which pays the equivalent annual salary for one firefighter, with annual increases of $1,400 until the 10-year contract expires after 2021. Washington budgeted $1.5 million this year for its fire department.

In addition to Brookman, city fire Capt. Gary Coleman and Councilwoman Tracie Graham attended the beginning the meeting.

“We appreciate it,” Council President Guy Tucci said. “Some people just wanted to know what we’re doing and you’re doing great.”