The Louisville firefighters' union announced yesterday that it has endorsed mayoral candidate Kelly Downard.
Downard, a Republican, has made public safety, including police and fire, a focus of his campaign against Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson, a Democrat.
Downard was endorsed last fall by all the law-enforcement unions in Jefferson County, including the Fraternal Order of Police local that represents Louisville Metro Police.
At a news conference outside a Portland firehouse yesterday, Downard said the endorsement is the most important one he would receive.
"Our first responders have been neglected. No, they've been disrespected," he said.
The firefighters' endorsement comes in a week when union members will vote on a new contract. They have been working under an extended contract since June.
Abramson expressed disappointment at not getting the endorsement, as well as the timing of the announcement.
"I value our firefighters and the jobs they do, but it's unfortunate the firefighters' union is injecting politics into ongoing contract negotiations," Abramson said in a statement.
Union members said they chose Downard because of their dissatisfaction with a study commissioned by Abramson's administration that suggests closing firehouses and eliminating fire companies.
The study recommends reducing to 17 from 22 the number of firehouses in the urban services district -- the old city of Louisville. The study also recommends reducing staffing by four companies.
In the study, the firehouse in Portland, which is home to Engine 6, would shut down and that neighborhood would be served by a new firehouse at an as-yet undetermined location.
Portland residents have peppered their lawns with signs opposing the change.
Bryan Johnson, a former Portland resident who still lives in Louisville, said he hasn't decided who to vote for in November. But he said public safety, including the fire department, will be a key issue.
"You can see how old these firehouses are," Johnson said. "This is major."
Firefighter Kenneth Stanton, who attended yesterday's endorsement announcement, said he plans to vote for Downard.
"It's time for a change," said Stanton, a 19-year veteran of the department.
Stanton said he believes some houses need to be rebuilt or upgraded but he said it was under Abramson's tenure that the houses fell into disrepair.
"Mayor Abramson has really done nothing for the firefighters," he said.
Abramson will make his suggestions for modernizing Louisville Fire & Rescue during the budget process in May, spokesman Matt Kamer said.
Abramson has pledged that no firefighters would be laid off and services wouldn't suffer.
Downard said he has no counterproposal to the study, saying if he's elected he would consult with firefighters to come up with a plan that would improve firehouses and service to the community. He said he has not decided whether he would change the command staff, including the fire chief.
In the past several weeks, city officials, including Fire Chief Greg Frederick, have met with firefighters and neighborhood residents to get feedback on the study.