Pocono News Section

Firefighting Controversy Continues in Scranton

Firefighting Controversy Continues in Scranton - Monday, March 23, 2009 at 5:21PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday, Mar 23, 2009 @ 05:21pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- A fire flap is burning right now in Scranton. Signs urging people to save fire departments in Scranton are popping up all over the city.

Eyewitness News spoke with Mayor Chris Doherty who says he has no plans to close or decommission any fire company. The mayor says calls the signs a political game in an election year. “We are not closing any firehouses at all. This is being done by the firemen because we recently defeated them in court," said Doherty.

While no fire stations are slated to close, the mayor is reducing the number of firefighters from 142 to 130. He says that's what has firefighters upset.

But West Scranton resident Jack Noone said, “I don't believe much the mayor says. I believe he’ll still close some. I don't put a lot of faith in what Mayor Doherty says."