New Jersey Firefighters Say Staffing Cuts Effecting Response

With just two more Morristown firefighters joining the six-man crew that first battled the burning Rago Brothers Shoe Repair shop last month, the outcome might have been different, local firefighters say.

"With eight guys we would have been able to prevent that fire from getting an aggressive head start," said firefighter Stuart Williamson. "We might have been more effective by getting that second hose line operating and that could have limited the amount of destruction and damage."

Members of the department have long believed they need more manpower.

Town hall, however, wants to reduce the minimum staffing level per shift from six to five to cut expenses -- an idea Williamson and other firefighters call dangerous. It will jeopardize their safety and cost them precious time at fire scenes, they said yesterday.

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