The union representing police and public safety officers in Cedar Falls recently issued a proclamation supporting career firefighters.
But city officials note individual officers represented by the union fully support the public safety officer program.
On March 4, Teamsters Local 238’s executive board made the proclamation.
“Public safety officers should be utilized to supplement and enhance the fire department by working side by side with professional and career firefighters, not as their replacements,” it reads in part.
The proclamation came after the city voted at a special meeting Feb. 27 on a deal with Teamsters to allow PSOs to work 24-hour firefighting shifts, similar to firefighter scheduling.
“The proclamation was done by the executive board of Teamsters Local 238, and it was done in support of the firefighters and the firefighters union,” said Jon Thomas, Teamsters business agent.
He said the Teamsters believe career firefighters are needed to “guide and direct public safety officers at fire scenes.”