Planned cuts to the Montclair Fire Department have firefighters warning about the impact on public safety.

The Montclair Firefighters Union FMBA Local 20 says the township has ordered the fire chief to reduce daily minimum staffing from 16 firefighters to 14 starting March 5. Union leaders say fewer boots on the ground could mean greater risk when seconds matter most. "I took an oath to protect and serve, to save life and property, and with less people, we're not going to be able to do the exact same job," said John Fierro, president of FMBA Local 20.

Under the change, Station 2 in the North End would respond with four firefighters instead of six. When staffing levels are short, the ladder truck at that station could be taken out of service entirely. The main station would continue operating with 10 firefighters.

"If there is someone hanging out the window, the ladder truck is there to put the ladder up and to save the victims. While the engine is the apparatus that flows the water that puts the fire out," Fierro said.

The union points to national standards recommending 16 firefighters on scene to effectively fight a fire in a typical 2,000-square-foot home. They warn that dropping below that threshold could be dangerous in a town serving more than 41,000 residents.

Montclair firefighters also provide coverage to nearby Glen Ridge and portions of Montclair State University, including academic buildings and dorms.

This comes just weeks after a township-commissioned 133-page study outlined 44 recommendations for the department, stating that staffing shortfalls are a general theme and calling restoring and right-sizing staffing an urgent priority.

Since 2017, the department has gone from 87 firefighters down to 68 — nearly a 22% reduction — largely due to retirements and attrition.

Township officials cite rising health care costs as the main reason for the cuts.

Union leaders say the issue deserves more public discussion.

"Montclair debates everything from ice skating rinks to special limits to solar garbage cans," Fierro said. "I feel this is just being put out and it really hasn't been vetted and has been properly publicly discussed or even addressed."

The township is not commenting at this time, but the issue is expected to come up at the Feb. 24 council meeting at municipal hall. Firefighters and the union are encouraging residents to attend and make their voices heard.

Officials say no firefighter is being laid off. The changes only impact staffing schedules.