‘Why is it always public safety?’: Jake and Spike push back on Seattle’s proposed $7.1M cut to firefighter overtime

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s proposed 2027-28 budget would cut about $7.1 million annually from the Seattle Fire Department’s overtime funding, a reduction of roughly 17% in that budget line. Fire Chief Harold Scoggins outlined plans to manage the reduction through lower daily minimum staffing and planned unit outages.

Jake Skorheim and Spike O’Neill, co-hosts of “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, discussed the proposal, with Jake opposing the reduction while Spike recalled how firefighters’ response helped protect his own home.

“We want firefighters. We want them to be able to earn a good wage,” Jake said. “And if there’s not enough firefighters, and some of them have to do overtime, I’m fine with that.”

Spike recalls firefighters stopping a furnace fire

Spike described surviving two house fires, including one at his home about six years ago.

“From a guy who has lived through two house fires, I got to tell you, you want a fire department,” Spike said. “There’s no scarier call. There’s no scarier moment than when you realize you need help and you dial 911.”

He credited Shoreline firefighters with quickly locating the source of the fire.

“He stepped off the truck as it pulled in right in front of my house and looked at me and said, ‘Where’s your furnace?’” Spike said. “Because he knew, just looking, he knew what to go for. Within one minute of that truck pulling up to my house, he had the fire out. The fire was inside my furnace.”

Spike described the smoke spreading through the home.

“The smoke filled our home. The furnace was running. The filter caught on fire,” Spike said. “This furnace was pumping this toxic smoke through my entire house. Thank goodness the fire department had the resources to be there in a timely manner.”

Proposed reduction could take units out of service

Scoggins’ memo described reducing daily minimum staffing from 222 to 209, with four to six units potentially taken out of service each day depending on staffing levels. The proposal is not a 17% reduction to the department’s entire budget.

The mayor’s office said the proposal reflects budget constraints, staffing levels, and spending patterns while continuing to support recruitment. The firefighters union warned of longer response times if the overtime reduction is approved.

Jake urged officials to look elsewhere for savings.

“I do think it would be great if they could figure out other areas where they could save some money,” he said.

Hosts put firefighting among public safety priorities

Spike questioned the choices presented during budget debates.

“Why is it always public safety? Why is it always your kid’s not going to get to go to school, or you’re not going to have any health care?” he said.

Jake objected to using fears about essential services to frame those decisions.

“When it’s just services that we all rely on and that we need, we don’t want you using fear against us,” he said.

Spike returned to the role of firefighters in protecting residents.

“Public safety. I want firefighters,” he said. “We talk about public safety. I understand law enforcement is a huge element of public safety, but so are the firefighting services.”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3