Large Projected Deficit Prompting Changes to New Bedford Fire/EMS Departments

A meeting Thursday night will allow residents to provide their opinions on what should be done after an evaluation of New Bedford's Fire and EMS Departments.

Last year, the City hired FACET, Inc. to assess the departments and provide cost-saving recommendations to the City. One of the recommendations in the report is to close Fire Station #7 on Mount Pleasant Street if two South End stations can't be consolidated.

Mayor Jon Mitchell says the assessment was meant to provide the City a way to be less reliant on federal funding for the Fire Department. "We are right now running at a projected $1 million budget deficit in firefighter overtime for the fiscal year that will end in June. $1 Million. So, something's got to give," said Mitchell.

Mitchell says he has not yet taken a position on any of the recommendations outlined in the 100-page assessment.

The meeting is being held at 6pm Thursday at the Fort Taber Community Center.