CNBNews

I received an email yesterday about a possible mutual aid slow down by surrounding fire departments in responding to calls in Gloucester City. ~Bill Cleary

It reads in part,

Bill, Just wanted to let you know about, a disturbing rumor I heard, and looked into . And it appears to be true. As I am sure you are aware that the paid fireman have many contacts in the fire service, and most of them volunteer in neighboring towns. Well if the lay offs happen all of our mutual aid departments have been asked to slow down their response to Gloucester City.  Mt Ephraim is definitely planning on not responding in for a fire or a extremely slow response. I find it appalling that these so called professionals would risk the lives of the citizens, and possibly there own, to prove a point. I hope you can ask around, and if this true, please break the story.

I contacted Jeff Sanderson, president of the Gloucester City FMBA Local 51, the union that represents the City firefighters for a response. He writes,

Bill,
That rumor is absolutely not true. I have lived in this town my whole life, almost 30 yrs, and I too would find it unprofessional to even fathom that idea. I have a lot of family and friends in this town and unlike mayor and council I do not and will not risk the lives of my citizens in anyway, shape or form. If you can find out where this rumor is coming from I would like to know so I can stop this bullshit.