NEWBURGH – The City of
Newburgh Fire Department is going to have to lay off 10 firefighters by
the end of the year since a federal grant that has been paying their salaries
is not being renewed. That will drop the department’s full-time
compliment of firefighters down to 58.
Chief Michael Vatter told MidHudsonNews.com that the department has enough
money left over from the previous two-year $2.4 million grant to keep
the men on through the end of the year, but they will be getting pink
slips in time for the holidays.
Vatter had applied for a new grant, but received a letter from FEMA informing
him that his department would not be receiving one.
A couple of the firefighters in his department may be able to make lateral
moves to other area departments including Poughkeepsie and he will work
with others in an effort to find them new employment.
