Fate Of Englewood Fire Department Delayed Until Next Week
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4) - Despite the city manager promising an official decision on the future of the Englewood Fire Department, it didn't come during a three-hour meeting that ran late into Monday night.
Officials now have a week to come up with a proposal to keep the fire department under Englewood's control.
The city needs $27 million to keep the department operating, which is $18 million more than the city can currently afford. Money can be raised either through a tax hike, or the city can get rid of the department and contract out through another agency. Denver Fire will likely take over operations for about $8 million unless something drastic happens.
RELATED: After More Than 100 Years, Englewood May Lose Its Fire Department
Angry residents packed the meeting over the controversial decision to scrap the fire department.
"They're asking a lot of relevant questions, they're going the right direction, but it isn't a two-night decision, slam dunk out the door. That's too much," resident Ralph Selby said.
One firefighter said, "We're not dead yet, but it certainly sounds like we're on life support."
Denver Fire representative at the meeting said they've taken over departments in Glendale and Sheridan with no problems and saved both cities a lot of money.
Under the proposal the Denver Fire Department would absorb all the Englewood firefighters at an entry-level position.