City Lays Off 18 Firefighters
From Times Wire Reports
Eighteen Richmond firefighters were laid off on New Year’s Eve as part of a Fire Department reorganization city officials say is needed to save money.
The layoffs were ordered as part of citywide cuts in the financially strapped city, which had a $9.5-million deficit even before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger slashed vehicle license fees.
Each city department was ordered to cut 9.5% from its budget, which meant $1.8 million for the Fire Department, said Chief Joe Robinson.
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