Lawrence Fire Department could lay off firefighters, close stations

LAWRENCE, Mass. -- Budget problems could force the City of Lawrence to lay off more than a dozen firefighters and close two fire stations.

Lawrence Fire Chief Peter Takvorian said this move will put residents at risk, but with the department facing a $1.6 million deficit, it might be the only answer.

The chief said the department lost between $7 and $10 million in state aid.

Currently, the department has temporarily shut down a few stations, but the stations on Tower and Prospect Hills would close permanently. Additionally, 14 firefighters would be laid off to make up for the shortfall.

Takvorian said the only hope would be for federal and state leaders to step in.

“Just think that it’s important for federal and state lawmakers to realize that homeland security begins at home and it’s not always the international efforts that are the total picture for homeland security. They bailed out banks, they bailed out insurance companies, they bailed out large corporations and they have to look at the regular citizen on the street at some point,” said Takvorian.

The fire chief acknowledged that not only will response times be slower, but they will not have firefighters to help out private EMT companies.

The city council was expected to vote on the budget Monday night, but the meeting was continued to Tuesday.  

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