By Shelby Grad
The L.A. Times
LOS ANGELES — Controversial cutbacks begin today at the Los Angeles Fire Department that officials admit will increase response times.
As part of the cuts, 15 fire trucks and six ambulances are being pulled out of service daily on a rotating basis citywide. Firefighters assigned to those units will be used to plug staff vacancies, which for years have been filled by calling other employees in for overtime.
In an effort to close a $56.5-million budget shortfall, three additional ambulances in Sylmar, Hollywood and East Hollywood were closed indefinitely on Sunday. Those ambulances, staffed by firefighters for 12-hour periods, eased the burden on busy paramedic ambulances by responding to lower-level emergencies.
Full story: Three captain positions also eliminated