Harvey, IL, Furloughs 17 of 37 Firefighters Due to Budget Woes

The Harvey Fire Department is running on fumes as more an a dozen have been furloughed.

When 17 of the department's 37 firefighters were sidelined last month due to budget issues, one of three stations were closed, Fox32 reported.

Harvey Mayor Christopher Clark laid off 40 percent of the city's workforce due to a $140 million debt.

"When you call 911, that door's going to roll up, the rig's going to roll out, and it's going to roll out with however many people we can get on it for the day. But there is a concern not only from the citizens, but from the men as well. With a significant reduction in staffing, the job is going to be much more dangerous for us — and because it’s more dangerous for us, it’s going to be more dangerous for the citizens," IAFF Local 471 Secretary Lt. Keith Freeman said.

Less than 24 hours after being notified that he was being furloughed, Firefighter Daniel Raygoza and his wife, Lisette welcomed a baby girl, Gracie Rose.

"We risk our lives every day for the people of Harvey and just to know that they can just pretty much let us go at any second is kind of gut-wrenching," Raygoza said. 

As of Monday, a gofundme effort had raised more than $50,000 for the firefighters without jobs.