ORLANDO, Fla. --
Orlando residents may soon have less fire protection. Dozens of firefighters were told Wednesday they may be out of a job within months and that could be just the tip of the iceberg at City Hall.
As many as 70 positions could be eliminated within the Orlando Fire Department by October and possibly hundreds of more city jobs could be cut.
Unless the city finds additional money from somewhere, the jobs will likely be cut. The city told employees the positions are scheduled to be cut unless other people decided to quit on their own.
The media was kept outside of the Orlando Fire Department's Primrose training center as firefighters were told their position would be cut October 2nd.
Other firefighters, who were not affected, showed up in support. The chief notified 46 people that the city had to lay them off due to a $40 million shortfall in the city's budget.
The fire chief also told staff he did not plan on filling 20 vacant positions. Union leaders say cutting 10 percent of its firefighters will threaten public safety and there will be a by delay in response times.
"It was a surprise. 70 firefighters is the end of the Orlando Fire Department in the end its a very unreasonable amount," said Fire Union President Steve Clelland.
In a letter that was given to the firefighters, the city said the positions that were scheduled to be cut could be saved if other employees decide to leave voluntarily.
The city is expected to give Eyewitness News a statement about the layoffs and which city positions will be cut.
