Fire Survey Shows $330 Million in Costs for RI
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Former gubernatorial candidate Ken Block released an analysis of fire protection services in Rhode Island on Tuesday which shows that Rhode Island has more fire stations and apparatus than most metropolitan areas in the United States, and faces nearly a billion dollars in unfunded pension liability for firefighter retirees. Block also announced the launch of his new government reform organization, WatchdogRI.org, which will be “dedicated to performing data intensive research projects to help support public policy decision making.”
The data released by Block shows that Rhode Island operates more individual fire stations and has more apparatus than almost all major metropolitan areas in the United States. In an example cited by Block, RI has 158 fire stations; Chicago has 92; and Los Angeles has 106. Fire protection services in the state, according to the release, collectively cost more than $330 Million dollars per year.
"Too many of Rhode Island's fire stations are located where a fire station has been located for centuries. When fire engines were pulled by horses, it made sense to have more stations situated relatively closely together. But a 19th century fire station system facing 21st century costs for equipment, maintenance, personnel, benefits and retirements is stressing local budgets, and far exceeds what many other locations provide for fire protection," remarks Ken Block. "It is my hope that this data will foster a statewide debate and dialogue regarding locally provided public services. Local and statewide officials need to come together to help reduce the high cost of local government in Rhode Island."
By The Numbers
According to Block’s report:
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTArea of coverage: 500 square miles
Population: 900,000
Annual cost of more than $300 million
103 Fire Stations
$900 million in unfunded firefighter pension liabilities
Annual family of 4 cost of nearly $1,400
Contrasts with fire protection services in other metro areas:
Dallas has 57 fire stations, Phoenix has 59, Chicago has 92 and LA has 106.
Dallas has 56 fire engines, Phoenix has 66, Chicago has 98 and LA has 132.
Disability Costs
The data released by Block shows that the number of firefighters out on disability varies greatly among communities. “We believe that contract language directly drives the disability numbers. This should be a crucial area of concern for taxpayers and elected leaders alike, because we have a large number of fire fighters retired on disability with a concentration in certain communities,” read the statement. “Should Rhode Island consider a statewide definition of disability in an attempt to stabilize and drive down the numbers of fire fighters collecting disability pensions?”
Related Slideshow: Providence Pension Liability
A new report shows that Providence’s pension fund—even after the recent reform—is still in trouble. The below slides break out the key numbers for the pension fund, including the unfunded liability, the assumed and actual rates of return, the current level of benefits, and how long it will take the city to pay off the unfunded liability. Figures are current as of July 1, 2013 and are taken from the new Jan. 31 actuarial report from Segal Consulting.
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