Carson Swick – Baltimore Sun
Baltimore City Councilwoman Odette Ramos wants to see the city’s fire department do more to protect survivors of fires and other emergencies in the city.
A bill introduced by Ramos Monday would require the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD) to put up yellow tape to establish a restricted perimeter around the scene of an emergency. Only “authorized individuals” such as first responders, family members of survivors and certain city employees would be allowed inside the perimeter.
“Establishing the scene allows residents to have a few moments to recover from the traumatic event they just survived, call their insurance companies about their options, and weigh their options before being pressured to take on a contract that may not benefit them,” Ramos said.
Ramos recalled that she once was comforting a fire survivor in her district when a representative for a restoration company came to hand her their business card.
“I have seen how these companies have helped but also hurt our constituents by charging a significant amount to their insurance companies,” Ramos said.
The bill, which Ramos describes as a “companion” to the one introduced in Annapolis by Del. Marlon Amprey, was referred to the council’s Public Safety Committee for further consideration.
Fire department pay
Also on Monday, the council introduced an appropriations resolution that would provide BCFD with more than $33 million to fund “overtime due to sworn vacancies and unbudgeted EMS contractual services.”
The move came after lengthy discussion at last Wednesday’s Baltimore Board of Estimates meeting regarding the financial burden put on BCFD by staffing shortages — which force staff members to work overtime.
The bill was assigned to the Budget and Appropriations Committee for further consideration.
BGE bill increases
City Council President Zeke Cohen and Councilman Isaac “Yitzy” Schleifer largely repeated their statements from a Monday morning news conference regarding the recent rise in the cost of Baltimore Gas and Electric bills.
Sponsored by 13 of the 15 council members, City Council Resolution 25-0007R authorizes an informational hearing to be held on the matter. According to Schleifer, the Legislative Investigations Committee will hold the hearing at City Hall on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 4:30 p.m.
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