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Last updated on Friday, August 16, 2013
(CRANE) - Firefighters, who are members of the AFGE Local 141 at Crane will be protesting Monday morning to express concerns over anticipated cuts to the fire department’s budget in 2014.
Fireifghters will begin protesting at 8 a.m. in front of the Crane Visitors Center at the Crane gate.
AFGE Local 141 Vice President Ron Pemberton will read a statement detailing the projected cuts. He says media from the area and from the Indianapolis area have been notified of the protest.
He is hoping for a large turnout.
"We are protesting the cuts to the emergency services, particularly the fire departments which is targeted with large cuts in staffing," Pemberton says.
The cuts were recommended by base commander and approved by the Department of Defense.
Officials from the NSA Crane Public Affairs office were not available for comment.
Pemberton says the cuts will affect everyone.
"Not only the employees on base but the taxpayers," Pemberton says. "It's going to end up costing taxpayers millions and millions of dollar."
The union representatives say there will be some service cuts.
The fire department at Crane provides paramedics, ALS ambulanc service, medical rescues and haz-mat not only at Crane but to the surrounding counties when needed. After the cuts to the budget, officials are not sure those services will continue.
Pemberton says the cuts will be announced in November.
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