DETROIT (AP) - Detroit Emergency manager Kevyn Orr is working on a plan to train up to 100 new firefighters, as well as moving fire stations and supplying them with new equipment.
Plan developer Edward J. Plawecki Jr. tells Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley that his work is a response to a severe shortage of personnel and equipment. Detroit now has 796 firefighters, 40 operating fire stations and 20 ambulances.
The newspaper says union leaders have been meeting regularly with Plawecki on the drafting of the plan, which will be released in mid-September.
Plawecki says the city will get 20 new ambulances in August and 20 more in October. He says six to eight private ambulances will continue to be in service daily.
Detroit had 1,027 firefighters two years ago.
