Newark's fire chief says he's retiring on Oct. 1, partly out of worry that a shrinking department will mean compromised safety for firefighters.
Chief Michael Lalor says he's concerned that the city is trying to do ``more with less'' and tells The Star-Ledger of Newark that he fears a coming reduction in manpower will result in safety problems.
Thirty-one other fire department officers are retiring on the same day. And close to 30 more say they'll retire by the end of the year.
The exodus comes as the department faces 96 layoffs and 22 demotions over the next two years.
City spokeswoman Esmeralda Diaz Cameron says the city will maintain adequate fire protection.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
