Mayor Tom Donaldson wants to change how the city schedules firefighters to save money.

When commenting on his intention, Councilwoman Kathy Kline made a comparison to the fire department in Warren, Pa., which has full-time and part-time firefighters.

Warren Fire Chief Sam Pascuzzi said his department separates firefighters into three platoons. Each Warren full-timer works a 24-hour shift, then is off for 48 hours.

Pascuzzi said to ensure that six firefighters are on duty at any time, the 17 full-timers are supplemented.

“We use part-timers to fill in,” he said.

Pascuzzi said without the part-timers, his department would spend at least $300,000 in overtime.

Butler also has 17 full-time firefighters.

Although Butler Councilman Richard Schontz supports using part-timers, Kline previously said Butler fares well in comparison by spending $100,000 annually on overtime without part-timers.

Donaldson said comparisons to other departments are irrelevant without sufficient information about their finances.

“All I care about is the city of Butler,” he said this morning.

Donaldson cited two previous studies, which indicate Butler should use part-time firefighters.

He proposes switching from four four-man turns to three five-man turns to eliminate overtime.

Councilman Michael Walter previously pointed out the firefighters’ contract ends in 2017, so the city is bound by the current pact’s terms until then.

Donaldson said the city should talk now with the firefighters, who are represented by the International Association of Firefighters, so changes can be made by then.

Walter chided Donaldson for publicizing his desire for changes for the fire department, when the topic should be discussed privately among council.

“If you’re a taxpayer, that’s got to make your head spin,” Donaldson said about Walter’s comment.

Donaldson said he is unsure if fire department issues would arise at the city council meeting, which is at 6:30 p.m. today.