Firefighter Cuts Fast Becoming A Big Topic Of Discussion In Long Beach

LONG BEACH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Some Long Island residents are worried about public safety because first responders are being laid off.

The loss of an emergency response grant has prompted the city of Long Beach to say it cannot afford to retain five federally funded firefighters.

"It is disappointing to get this news at this time of year. I just found out I am getting laid off," Dave Yolinsky told CBS2's Jennifer McLogan on Thursday.

Five firefighters will be laid off on Jan. 1. To keep them would have cost the city $600,000. Long Beach residents will now be covered by 25 paid firefighters and 150 volunteers.

Fire Commissioner Scott Kemins said those numbers reflect pre-Hurricane Sandy staffing and that residents are safe and will not see a change in response.

"Even minus those five firefighters we are not changing the amount of guys working in any one 24-hour period," Kemins said.

But Long Beach Professional Firefighters Association president Bill Piazza said public safety will be affected with medical and fire calls.

"We are concerned -- almost 19 percent decrease in manpower. If they get rid of those five guys, I can't understand how that wouldn't affect services," Piazza said.

Social media sites were exploding Thursday as the debate raged among the city's 35,000 residents. Homeowner Richard Boodman said he is satisfied with staffing and worries about taxpayer dollars.

"We don't have the commercial base that New York City has, so therefore it's on the backs of the homeowners," Boodman said.

Dierdre O'Neill credited an engine and a ladder company with saving her from a gas leak in her apartment.

"Without them being there -- it was an odorless smell -- I don't know that I'd be here today," O'Neill said.

"I just don't understand why emergency services would be cut,' homeowner Mary Volosevich added.

In the meantime, the city has commissioned a study to determine the most efficient way to deliver emergency services, McLogan reported.

Long Beach and Garden City are the only departments on Long Island with paid firefighters.

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