Fall River firefighters return to work

FALL RIVER, Mass. -- Nearly four dozen firefighters are back to work today in Fall River months after budget cuts forced them out of their jobs.

Now they're talking about their return and proud to be serving their city once again.

"You almost question, what's happening to America...What happened to America, you know? You would never imagine one day you would be needed, the next day you're not," said firefighter Mark Medeiros about layoffs on the front lines of public safety.

Mark Medeiros, a third generation Fall River firefighter was one of 44 laid off in March because of budget cuts.

"It not only affected the members that were laid off but it also the everyday lives of the station members that were left on the job, it also turned their lives upside down as well," said Medeiros.

However, just last month Governor Deval Patrick announced federal stimulus money would be used to bring the firefighters back. So eight months after he was let go, Medeiros returned to Central Station on Sunday.

Farther north, Tony Rebelo is also back on the job at a new station getting used to the equipment.

"Kind of heartbreaking, I guess you could say. I’ve never been laid off before, it was my first time so I didn't know what to expect," said Rebelo.

Like most firefighters, Rebelo says this is his calling.

"I like the camaraderie with the guys, I like to give back to the community, to be able to help others," said Rebelo.

Medeiros feels the same way. He says he found work while he was gone and took a pay cut to come back.

"This job was never about money for me, it was about doing something I was proud of and following family tradition," said Medeiros.

The stimulus money will pay for the positions for next year. The city is now looking for alternative funding to keep the firefighters working beyond that.

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