While the idea of a Spanish-speaking firefighter was brought forward with the idea of diversity in mind, the resolution to make it happen was more than the city bargained for.

Resolution 48 was tabled in June because the way it read would have created a 25th firefighter position.

On Tuesday, the Common Council rectified this by approving a separate resolution, 65 of 2017, which changed the language to make a requirement that at least one firefighter be fluent in both English and Spanish in order to best serve the city’s Hispanic community.

That resolution, which was walked in after the other was again tabled, was unanimously approved.

Third Ward Councilman Adelino Gonzalez, who was a sponsor of both resolutions, said he was satisfied with the way it turned out.

See FIREFIGHTER, Page A5

“I’m happy with the wording, which is entirely, exactly what I was trying to say all the time,” Gonzalez said. “I was not trying to say we were looking for an unqualified person. I have always said that it would be a person that was fully qualified and the only thing I was asking for is that next person meet the qualifications of reading and writing in Spanish to be able to work with the next highest population in the city of Dunkirk. That person will also have to take the same tests and meet the same requirements as the other firemen in the city of Dunkirk or any place,” he said.

During the workshop, Mayor Willie Rosas explained there is currently a vacancy, but due to timing this change will not affect that position.

“The current situation is we have a minimum staffing level of 24, but we’re at 23. We’ve been at 23 for this whole year. So, my opinion is the position should be filled. As far as Spanish speaking, I’m 100 percent for it,” he said.

Fire Chief Mike Edwards added that the canvassing process has already begun for that position. Firefighter training and the Civil Service test are held annually. Because of this, it is likely the city will not have a Spanish-speaking firefighter until next year at the earliest.

In the mean time, Fourth Ward Councilwoman Stacy Szukala said a recruitment program will be discussed at the Public Safety Committee meeting on July 26 at 4 p.m. in city hall.