Hialeah Firefighter Reacts To Being Laid Off

HIALEAH (CBS4) - Firefighters in Hialeah are getting ready for their first round of layoffs this weekend.  The Hialeah city council approved a $115 million budget late Wednesday night- that includes the elimination of 105 firefighting positions in the city.

Mark Colon will lose his job Saturday after two years as a Hialeah firefighter.

"This is my life. I love it I love helping people. I'm here to serve," he explained.

Now he's trying to figure out how he'll pay his bills without a job, but he says his big concern is for the residents of Hialeah.

"It's going to affect response times.  We're going be tied up on calls - well not me  because I'm not employed anymore -- but the other guys who are still working are going to be tied up on calls," said Colon. "So if there's another emergency in another part of the city who knows how long it will take."

Hialeah resident Mirca Aboud echoed that concern.

"They will get there, but they will take longer," she said.

The mayor of Hialeah insists that is not the case.   Mayor Carlos Hernandez says the elimination of 40 percent of the fire department will not affect service.

"The service will be given to the citizens like it always has.   I guarantee October first, the services will be the same as always."

He blames the union for the cuts.

"This was up to the union. They could have solved this Monday. They could solve this tomorrow! But I will not raise taxes and allow them to keep the benefits they've been getting," said Mayor Hernandez.

Union President, Mario Pico disagrees.  He says response times in the city will likely double.

Pico added about the mayor, "he says it's up to me,  the decision's made right now;  nobody gets fired let's continue negotiating get back to work.."

But right now there is no solution in sight.   Unless that changes, Saturday, October 1, 35 firefighter positions will be eliminated. Another 35 will be eliminated on December 1 and 35 more on March 1.