Chicago Chief Blasts Proposal to Cut Crew Size

Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff testified at a hearing on the 2011 budget at City Hall and said that Inspector General Joseph Ferguson's suggestion to reduce the number of firefighters on an engine or truck from five to four would slow response time.

He went on to say that the delays could hinder the ability to get fire under control and search structures for trapped occupants.

"In basic terms, it means lives could be lost, that of civilians and firefighters," Hoff told the newspaper. "Fires are going to grow faster because we're not getting water on it fast enough -- property damage is going to skyrocket."

Ferguson's office released a report on Oct. 24, citing that cutting the size of fire crews would save the city $66.6 million a year, according to The Tribune.

Hoff testified that the inspector general did not consult with fire officials before making his recommendations.