City Council backs fire union, blocking proposed AFR staffing policy

The City Council approved a measure to codify staffing requirements for Albuquerque Fire Rescue responses, a move that puts it at odds with the mayor’s office, and displays a rift between the firefighters’ union and department leadership.

The resolution, sponsored by Councilors Dan Lewis and Joaquín Baca, would continue a requirement that two paramedics be on board an ambulance that is responding to rescue calls.

It passed 7-2 on Monday evening, with Councilors Tammy Fiebelkorn and Brook Bassan voting against it.

The measure counters a proposed AFR policy that would have a firefighter with basic EMT training take the place of one of the fully-trained paramedics during rescue responses. The fire chief has said the proposed change would be more efficient, in part because the department is struggling to recruit paramedics.

That would be a sweeping change, Lewis said.

“This is our current system, and I think it’s something that’s really touted,” he said. “I know there’s a difference in opinion, but I think it’s clearly the case that two medics on a rescue is the best possible service.”

The resolution now goes to Mayor Tim Keller for his signature, though the administration and AFR Chief Emily Jaramillo have said the current staffing is leading to longer response times.

“Anytime we have firefighters with higher levels of training, that is providing a better service. How we distribute those firefighters is where we get creative,” Jaramillo told councilors Monday.

The firefighters’ union is against the chief’s proposal to allow for an EMT to replace a paramedic on an ambulance.

“We are just asking city councilors to not go back on a standard that everyone agrees is better,” Gus Pedrotty, local firefighter’s union outreach director, told the Journal on Monday.

While the measure passed, there appears to be a question of how much weight the resolution holds.

During Monday’s council meeting city attorney Lauren Keefe said the council was overstepping its jurisdiction.

“If these proceedings go further, ultimately, somebody may have to decide this question and what they’ll balance is the administration’s right to determine staffing versus the council’s right to legislate on safety,” Keefe said.

Lewis contended that it was up for interpretation.

“These are differences of opinion, even differences of legal opinion,” Lewis said. “I think there’s a legal opinion regarding that the council does have that ability and has, on many occasions, applied that during staffing issues and ordinances that this council votes on.”

The Keller administration filed complaints against Baca and Lewis for filing the legislation to the Labor Management Relations Board.

“This is really about a personnel dispute that needs to be resolved by the labor board and courts, not by politicians including me,” Keller said in a statement Tuesday.

Before her vote against the resolution, the council’s president expressed concern it was passing policy it couldn’t enforce.

“My big concern that I’ve shared with both sides is that I think the council is getting really good at doing stuff and then almost immediately having to undo it, and it’s disappointing,” Bassan said.

Editors note: This story has been updated to accurately reflect city attorney Lauren Keefe's position.