The Chief has been directed by the Mayor, through Public Safety Commissioner Tim Bennett, to cut $2.7 million from the fire department budget for the remainder of this fiscal year (ending June 30, 2010). This is not possible without cutting into personnel costs – there is not enough money in other areas of our budget. Therefore, the Chief has proposed that the 26 recruits currently in training be laid off. This proposal has been submitted to the Mayor for consideration with the proposals from all other LFUCG Divisions. Our response to this proposal can be found below.