Without Funding, Gary Set to Lay Off 34 Firefighters

By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 29, 2010 2:06PM

Whenever we talk about the budget mess here at home we always remind ourselves that it's worse elsewhere. Case in point: Gary, Indiana, which is set to hand out pink slips to 34 firefighters by tomorrow unless a federal grant comes through.

Gary Fire Chief Jeff ward said that he isn't sure if, or when, the grant will come through. The layoffs will reduce the Gary Fire Department force by 20 percent, affect its ability to respond to multiple fires and raise the average age of the fire department to 40. Gary cut the positions in September, and the first four layoffs occurred on Dec. 18. Half of the department's fleet of 13 fire engines are already laid up by mechanical problems.