Fire union gives chief vote of ‘no confidence’
The Boston firefighters union’s executive board yesterday announced a vote of “no confidence’’ in Fire Commissioner Roderick J. Fraser Jr., as firefighters voiced their outrage with two Boston companies’ closures.
Engine 2, in South Boston, and Engine 55, in West Roxbury, were closed yesterday as a result of Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s “brownout’’ plan, which shutters up to four fire companies on days when large numbers of firefighters call in sick.
With about 100 firefighters gathered at the South Boston firehouse yesterday, Edward Kelly, Boston Firefighters Local 718 president, called the closures a result of the “Menino casino’’ and said he is gambling with people’s lives.
“This is a dangerous game of roulette, and someone’s going to get killed,’’ he said.
Kelly said firefighters voluntarily staffed the West Roxbury firehouse, while firefighters displaced by the “brownout’’ in South Boston were sent to other city firehouses.
Roderick had sent Kelly a letter on Wednesday warning that such action is against federal law.
Roderick called the union executive board’s vote against him a political ploy.
“I don’t work for Local 718. I work for the taxpayers,’’ he said. “I’m doing the best job that I can running this department in a difficult time.’’
