Firefighters to be fired as grant expiration looms

CBS Sacramento

AUBURN, Calif. — The fire season is expected to be bad as a result of the drought, but one local fire department may need to cut one-third of its staff.

Auburn firefighters were gearing up for their next call on Tuesday, but by September, five of 15 firefighters on staff will be let go because a two-year federal grant will expire.

“Prior to the grant going in place, our response times average over six-and-a-half minutes, and since those firefighters have been employed, our average response times have gone below five minutes,” said John Rogers with the Auburn Firefighters Association. Back in 2009, the 49er Fire burned more than 60 homes, causing millions of dollars in damage. Firefighters say it’s something that could happen again any day.

Full story: Auburn Firefighters Could Be Slashed As Federal Grant Expiration Looms