Firefighters force meeting with council

By By Fredie Carmichael/staff writer
Feb. 20, 2002
The president of Meridian's firefighters union asked city councilmen Tuesday night to address the department's low morale and poor working conditions.
Capt. Mike Sims of the Meridian Fire Department asked the council to schedule a work session with firefighters to begin talks.
Among firefighters' grievances: Fire Station No. 2 and No. 6 have leaking roofs, peeling paint and windows insulated with cardboard and duct tape.
About 30 firefighters attended Tuesday's city council meeting, the first in which a firefighter addressed the council directly. As many as 70 firefighters have attended past meetings to support residents who raised similar issues.
George Thomas, Ward 1 councilman and president of the five-member board, told firefighters he "hopes to schedule a work session within the next week."
Sims said he hopes to establish a good working relationship with the city administration.
Before Sims spoke, Audra Murphy, president of the city's Employee Council, told the city council about communication problems between city employees and the city administration.
Sims said he and other firefighters will continue to do their jobs even though the Meridian Fire Department has problems.