Fog Blog Saint John Log: Fire Department To Be Cut By 10- 15%:

Saint John council has approved the elimination of 24 firefighter positions and the closing of a fire station as long-discussed municipal cutbacks became real Monday night.

The Fire Department cuts will save the city $1.87 million toward $10 million in total cost reductions to be implemented by the end of this year as the municipality responds to anticipated deficits in 2021 and 2022.

Twelve full-time firefighter positions and 12 Holiday Relief firefighter positions (also largely full time) are to be eliminated, leading directly to the decision to close Fire Station 8 in Millidgeville.

Operations at the Millidgeville station will wind down by the end of this year with calls directed to Fire Station 5 on Adelaide Street in the Old North End.