60 firefighters face layoffs in Mass.

The mayor says 60 firefighters could be laid off and the department would be back to the smaller size of 153, down from the current 213

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FALL RIVER, Mass. — The city of Fall River finds itself in a familiar spot, facing the possibility of significant layoffs in the fire department.

Mayor Will Flanagan is warning of significant staff reductions. About one-third of the city's firefighters are on the chopping block. “I'm doing everything I can as mayor to prevent layoffs within the Fall River Department,” Flanagan told NBC 10 Monday.

Firefighters’ union president Jason Burns said, “It's a scary day. It's a scary thing.” This all started 5 years ago. A budget mess back then meant big cuts. The fire department was reduced to 153 firefighters in 2009. But temporary federal grant money brought the numbers back. Now that money is running out in June. The city has not added funding to the budget to replace the expiring grant money. “This is a difficult fiscal year for me,” Flanagan said. The mayor says 60 firefighters could be laid off and the department would be back to the smaller size of 153, down from the current 213.

Full story: 60 firefighters face layoffs in Fall River