After his efforts to recreate separate police and fire departments, Cedar Falls councilman Dave Sires says he has given up the effort, according to the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. The motion was voted down 6-1. Sires was especially upset with fellow councilpeople Simon Harding, Gil Schultz, and Dustin Ganfield who had expressed concerns about the Public Safety Officer model. The PSO model has been criticized by citizens who believe it does not properly protect them. Other towns have ended relationships on the fire side due to a belief that those fighting fires in Cedar Falls are not properly trained. Sires unsuccessfully ran for mayor on the platform of separating the police and fire departments.
