CLIFTON – More than a hundred residents and firefighters pressed the city council tonight to re-instate 12 firefighters who lost their jobs to layoffs and re-open a firehouse that closed a week and a half ago.
Residents cited longer response times and expressed concerns for their safety.
“My family’s lives [are] at stake,” said Diane Van Nortwick, 54, of Cathay Road.
Firefighters at the Dumont Avenue firehouse hung up their gear for the last time after their shift ended the morning of March 7, as the firehouse was closed after a city-wide layoff plan took effect.
A total of 41 municipal employees lost their jobs, including the 12 firefighters. Many who attended the meeting night wore white T-shirts with the words “The Dirty Dozen” on the front and “Laid off! Save yourself!” on the back.
The city had asked employees to freeze their 2009 salaries at 2008 levels late last year as a cost-saving measure, but negotiations with the city workers' union broke down.
Robert De Luca, president of the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association 21, used part of his time during the public comment portion of the council meeting to illustrate a longer wait time, a silence that was observed for more than a minute.
He asked members of the governing body “would you find that acceptable” if they were waiting for help in a fire or medical emergency.
Other residents pleaded with the council to change their minds, questioned the city’s negotiating tactics with the union and asked them to find other ways to save money.
“Pleaser mayor, council - please reconsider re-opening that firehouse,” resident Rose Luipersbeck said.
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