By
Pictured is Fredonia Fire Department logo.
Citing the village’s financial crunch, Fredonia’s Board of Trustees refused to fund paramedic training for a firefighter/EMT who offered to take the classes for free.
The board voted 4-0 this week against an outlay of up to $10,000 for the training. According to the resolution, firefighter/EMT Brendan Pieczsak was to “be compensated for all classroom time associated with this program at the hourly rates identified in the current collective bargaining agreement. All clinical time will be performed on (his) own time and not compensated for such.”
The resolution stated the paramedic training program will be held at Erie County Community College from Aug. 27 to Aug. 21, 2025. Pieczsak’s paramedic training is intended to fill an opening from a retirement, the resolution noted.
“We really do need to keep that spending under control and this is just not a good time for this to happen,” said Trustee Ben Brauchler.
Trustee Paul Wandel asked if the money was already in the budget. Told that it is not, he sighed. “I tend to agree that we are in a budget crunch at the moment,” he said. “I think we need to have some discussions about our budget before we move forward.”
Trustee Jon Espersen said that Piecszak offered to take the training for free, and will get a contractually mandated raise upon completing it.
Trustee Michelle Twichell, also citing Fredonia’s financial fears, voted against the measure. Trustee Nicole Siracuse did not attend the meeting.
