FWFD working with less due to tighter budget

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - All public safety departments in Fort Wayne are having to make significant cuts to their budgets, including the fire department.

Fort Wayne Fire Chief Amy Biggs has put together a lean budget for the 2013 fiscal year.  Out of the city's $140 million budget, the fire department was granted $35 million to work with. This is down from previous years, forcing the department to do more with less.

"Not having a recruit class, that's significant for us," Chief Biggs said. "We're currently 30 people down from our normal head count."

The allowance for firefighters is 375, now it's currently at 345. Chief Biggs said she addressed this as a concern to the city council. She's worried that having less firefighters can lead to longer hours and more injuries and accidents.

She said with all the necessary cuts, she's able to work with this upcoming fiscal year's budget. She's not for certain about 2014. If the fire department has to keep making cuts, essentially, the department will lose much more than just manpower.

"I hope it doesn't come to closing fire stations, but depending on the level of the budget and where we at," she said. "That could be something in the future we see."

October 23rd will be the date the fire department will know if their needs and cuts will be approved by city council.

Chief Biggs wants the public to know, despite cuts, you can expect the same level of service and resources.