PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― The city has started temporarily closing fire stations in order to balance its budget.
The rolling “brownouts” began with the closing of three fire companies as of 8:05 a.m. Monday.
Union members hosted a news conference as Engine 57 shut its doors for the day in West Philadelphia. Union officials said the closures are creating unsafe conditions in affected neighborhoods.
The city says these rotating brownouts will not have an impact on public safety and firefighters from those companies will be redeployed to other companies or will undergo training.
Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said in the past, five companies a day were closed to training. But now only two companies per day will go to training.
Full story: Temporary Philadelphia Firehouse Closures Underway – cbs3.com
WATCH: PENSION PROBLEM IN CALIFORNIA