After lengthy debate Monday, Bridgeport City Council gave slim approval to an ordinance that would allow the fire department to create an assistant – or deputy – chief’s position. Council approved the first reading of the ordinance by a 3-2 vote.

 

While the state’s civil service rules prohibit fire departments from having such a position, City Manager Kim Haws said Bridgeport has already received approval of the matter based on the “home rule” status it has. Chief Robert “Bob” Seccuro spoke in favor of creating the new position that was also recommended to Council by Haws and his staff.

 

Seccuro stressed the new for a person that can make “decisions autonomous of me” in the event a situation occurs and Seccuro is not around. Currently, the department has four captains, including one that is the administrative captain. In order for one captain to have the authority to make a decision that the other captains have to follow, Seccuro has to prepare a memorandum spelling out who is in charge. He said that set up isn’t conducive to running a tight ship.

 

“We have to be allowed to manage … Right now, we have to command structure,” said Seccuro.

 

Seccuro said the proposal allows the fire department to have the same command set up as exists in the city’s police department. Chief John Walker confirmed that the state civil service allows police departments across the state to have a deputy chief or assistant. He said that when that move was approved several years ago, the same proposal for fire departments was struck down.

 

“(Having a deputy chief) has been an advantage,” said Walker, who works with Deputy Chief Randy Hartley as his second-ranked official who can make orders that are required to be followed.

 

Outgoing City Recorder Melissa Matheny was opposed to the idea. Matheny didn’t like the idea of having an ordinance that supersedes civil service.

 

“I will not support any changes to civil service,” Matheny said. “I don’t think it’s fair to make changes to the state code … I just feel civil service is for the protection of our own fire service personnel.”

 

Seccuro said that the ordinance did create a position that was not managed by Civil Service. However, he added that in the event the City Manager or himself decided that the individuals was to be removed from that position they would revert back to their previous rank and remain under civil service protection and guidelines.

 

The ordinance would allow Seccuro to pick whoever he liked. However, he said he would only entertain hiring from the four existing captains on the squad and would not advertise the position outside the existing staff. Matheny was concerned that future chiefs could opt not to go that route. While Seccuro understood her concerns, he said he couldn’t let that figure into his thinking on the matter.

 

“If I had to consider what the next fire chief was going to do I would be unable to get anything accomplished,” said Seccuro.

 

Securro added that the move would not create the need for additional hiring or create an opening. He also said funds to pay for a salary increase would be utilized from the administrative captain’s overtime dollars.

 

Mayor Robert “Bob” Greer said the thing Bridgeport was looking to do was the exact reason home rule was put into place. He said several items Bridgeport, and other cities, have utilized as part of home rule has now become state law.

 

“This is what home rule is for; to test drive a theory … If it doesn’t work here, then it won’t get any legs. If it does work, you’ll likely see other cities with home rule look to make it happen and it could eventually be changed at the state level,” said Greer.

 

Eventually, Council members Matheny and John Wilson voted against the proposal. Council members Dustin Vincent, Diana Marra and Darrell Bowen voted for it. Initially, Bowen had his doubts on the proposal until having several questions answered by Seccuro.

 

The item will be included for final approval on the next meeting of Bridgeport City Council. The next meeting of Council is set for July 13 at 7 p.m.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Fire Chief Robert "Bob" Seccuro addressing Council Monday, while City Manager Kim Haws talks about the proposed ordinance at the same meeting in the bottom picture.