Maplewood firefighters and police officers persuaded Essex County officials to stop cutting jobs from their departments at a town meeting Tuesday.

Police officers from around New Jersey attended the meeting to protest a proposal to eliminate three officers? positions and three firefighters? positions.

"The next step after this meeting is for the police chief to apply for federal grants,? Robert Cimino, Maplewood police chief, says.

Maplewood fire officials and police officers used a recorded 911 call from a fire in October 2008 to showcase the detriment to the community the cuts could cause. The woman, who suffered from cancer, was aided by just one officer in escaping her smoke-filled home.

Maplewood will receive at least $44,000 in grant funding. The deadline for towns to apply for federal grants is April 15.