Paul Stackhouse is the President of the Fire Fighters Association. He tells CHSJ News with the loss of up to 750-thousand dollars, 8 to 24 firefighters could be cut and a truck from the Courtney Avenue fire station would be gone.
He says the departments response time would increase from 4 minutes to 6 or 7 minutes -- well in excess of international standards.
Stackhouse adds not only would it put lives at risk but insurance will also increase for homeowners, businesses, and landlords.
He says the city faces many fire risks because of old buildings and many industrial businesses and the cuts are unacceptable.
A rally to protest the cuts is being held tomorrow morning in front of city hall at 8am while Common Council meets to discuss the budget.
