In a move to save money and streamline operations, Scottsdale's city manager is combining the police and fire departments into a new public safety department.
Scottsdale Police Chief Alan Rodbell will serve over both departments as public safety administrator.
The Arizona Republic says Rodbell also will keep his role as police chief, a position he has been in since 2003.
City Manager David Richert says the merger is expected to save about $1.2 million on the fire side and hopefully similar savings on the police side.
Scottsdale officials say residents shouldn't expect to see any changes in service.
Once the next phase of next year's budget is in place, the city can move forward in selecting a new fire chief.
trimom45 posted at 10:06 am on Tue, Mar 1, 2011.
First of all oldjohn, thank you for your service to your community. I have the upmost respect for your profession. I for one do not agree the cuts should happen with the police dept. Ilive in Mesa and they are well under 800 officers for the whole city. I think the cuts should come from the fire side if any. I have had many heated debates on this subject but tell me WHY in God's name do I need a huge engine AND an ambulance at my house when I call 911? The ambulance crew is the one who transports me.. my house is not on fire. I have talked to both crews on this subject...of course the fire crew got very defensive and told me "I better hope my house doesn't catch on fire" excuse me, is that a threat? The ambulance crew told me the reason they get there after fire is because they are dispatched always SECOND to fire and code two, fire is always code three. There is a paramedic and an EMT on the ambulance...why then do I need the fire dept as well? Shouldn't they be fighting a fire somewhere or going grocery shopping? I also had a tour of one of their fire houses..it is ridiculous! Nicer than a lot of people's homes and they have their own gyms! I have no idea what one of those huge fire trucks costs... a million I would think and I am paying for that ... unless my house is on fire they better not come! That is just my opinion.. I think if tax payers really took a look what their money was paying for they would agree!
oldjohn posted at 8:42 pm on Fri, Feb 18, 2011.
I moved here 2 years ago for retirement. I spent 28 years working as a police officer in a big city. Numerous suburbs near this city attempted this same move. It almost always ended up costing the cities more in the long run. These moves tended to increase the so called " inside personnel". My personal opinion is that if cuts are needed, there are always places to cut and it is usually in the support units or divisions. Just my opinion.