BRIDGETON, N.J. (AP) -- The city faces state labor fines of up to $70,000 unless it beefs up the number of firefighters responding to blazes.
Minimum staffing rules require four firefighters at the scene, two to fight the burning building inside and two to stay outside in case of problems.
However, Bridgeton's fire department responded to a two-alarm fire last month with just three firefighters, one of whom was injured.
Fire Chief Dave Shoch said his department would comply with the orders and said he normally would not send firefighters into a burning building unless there are four at the scene.
Departments throughout New Jersey are facing staffing problems, and Bridgeton is even harder hit because of an aging housing stock and overcrowding, Shoch said.
The city council planned to take up the issue on Monday, according to council president John Ewing.
``None of us on council wants to put a firefighter in a dangerous position,'' Ewing told The Press of Atlantic City. ``Their job is dangerous enough.''
The city must satisfy the staffing requirements by Sept. 29.
