VIDEO: The Ottumwa Fire Department is adjusting to its new staffing levels. As of Wednesday, July 1st, the department has five less firefighters. Their positions were eliminated due to budget cuts. The city council voted on those cuts back in mid-March. Fire Chief Tony Miller says even though the decision was out of his hands, but it didn’t make the conversation with those men any easier. “It was hard talking to the guys that I’ve grown to know over the last couple of years and stuff they’ve done and how they’ve supported the fire department and they were shining stars at our department. I mean young guys always look at things a little different and I hate to see them go cause they made our department better while they were with us with their skills. That’s why other fire departments around the state are wanting to hire them.” He says this change will not affect the department’s ability to protect the community.