Firefighter Layoffs Spark Uproar

KOKOMO, Ind. -- Kokomo's mayor and fire chief are at odds over the mayor's plan to layoff 12 of the city's firefighters and move their ambulance runs through local hospitals.

Fire Chief Scott Kern said he is working with local unions to try to keep the firefighters working for the department, but time is running out, 6News' Renee Jameson reported.

"We don't have enough firefighters to protect the citizens of Kokomo," said Blake Granson, brother of one of the laid off firefighters. "It's just going to be a real ugly situation."

The city is partnering with local hospitals to provide ambulance service, instead of the fire department, eliminating firefighter jobs.

Mayor Greg Goodnight said the cost-cutting move will save the city $850,000 a year.

"It doesn't do anything to jeopardize public safety. These ambulances for two weeks have been parked and are not making runs," Goodnight said. "We've had extra bodies around the fire station."

Kern said the firefighters in question do more than take ambulance runs. They also assist in firefighting efforts.

The city has 112 firefighters, and Kern said that isn't enough to adequately service Kokomo's needs.

"We've got to do everything in our power to try and work this thing out," Kern said. "That way we don't jeopardize the numbers that we currently have."

Firefighters' family members said they are extremely concerned about their relatives' jobs and the community's safety.

"Somebody's going to get hurt or killed, and then they're going to say, 'OK, we messed up,'" Granson said. "We need to bring these people back on."

Kern said he hopes local unions and the Fraternal Order of Police step up financially to stop the layoffs. The city gave fire officials until next Tuesday to come up with an alternative plan.