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NH Alderman Hopes To Save Firefighters By Eliminating District Chiefs

MANCHESTER, NH (CBS) - A Manchester, New Hampshire alderman wants to eliminate all of the district fire chief positions in the city, which he says will save $1 million.

WBZ-TV's Karen Anderson reports from Manchester, NH

Alderman Jim Roy says with that savings, the city will be able to save 15 of the firefighters that are slated for layoffs in the Mayor's budget. Mayor Ted Gatsas has proposed cutting 22 firefighters, effective the beginning of July.

Roy, who is a retired Manchester fire captain, presented the plan Tuesday night.

Aldermen voted to send the plan to a committee to study.

At first, there was a tie, and Mayor Gatsas cast the deciding vote.

Roy's plan would also eliminate one of the deputy fire chiefs, reduce the number of captains, and increase the number of lieutenants on the force.

Manchester's fire chief opposes the restructuring.

The Manchester Firefighter's Union spokesperson Ryan Cashin calls it "a dangerous plan." "This is an unnecessarily detrimental cut to the Manchester Fire Department," he claims. "It will result in a reduction in fire fighter safety and reduction in public safety for the citizens of Manchester."

"The district chiefs are responsible for the public safety for the city of Manchester ever day," he says. "Their job is to respond to calls and respond to incident commander on the scene... Without the District Chiefs, our eyes and ears on the outside would be gone."

According to the union, the average cost of salary and benefits for a district chief is $150,000. Salary and benefits for a captain is $135,000. Benefits are close to 40% of those costs.

Residents had the chance to weigh in on the proposal at a public hearing on the Mayor's budget Wednesday night.

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