The Peoria Department could be down a truck and 11 firefighters as a way to ease the city’s budget woes.
Union leaders say that would compromise the safety of both residents within the River City and the 195 firefighters employed by the city. Instead of cutting, Ryan Brady, the head of the local union, wants the city to maintain the status quo: no additional money but no permanent cuts.
“We are already at the bone. We are now talking about the safety of firefighters and safety of the community,” he said, adding this isn’t a scare tactic. The department will find a way, he said, but argued fewer trucks on the road and fewer firefighters could have have an effect given fatigue and response times.