NJFFSA16
01-01-2004, 03:59 AM
Richmond lays off 18 firefighters amid budget squeeze
(Richmond-AP) -- The city of Richmond laid off 18 firefighters
this afternoon, as part of a reorganization officials say is needed
to save money.
The layoffs were ordered as part of city-wide cuts in the
financially strapped city, which had a nine-point-five million
dollar deficit even before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger slashed
vehicle license fees.
While many fire agencies in the San Francisco Bay area have
tightened their belts, few have had to lay off firefighters.
Officials say Richmond was forced to make the cuts to the
department after the city council refused to exempt it from
spending reductions faced by other city departments.
Along with laying off 18 firefighters, the city demoted six fire
captains and six drivers.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
(Richmond-AP) -- The city of Richmond laid off 18 firefighters
this afternoon, as part of a reorganization officials say is needed
to save money.
The layoffs were ordered as part of city-wide cuts in the
financially strapped city, which had a nine-point-five million
dollar deficit even before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger slashed
vehicle license fees.
While many fire agencies in the San Francisco Bay area have
tightened their belts, few have had to lay off firefighters.
Officials say Richmond was forced to make the cuts to the
department after the city council refused to exempt it from
spending reductions faced by other city departments.
Along with laying off 18 firefighters, the city demoted six fire
captains and six drivers.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)