Budget Cuts Reduce Fire Dept. Ranks; Average Age Rises

Cambridge's fire protection is declining significantly because Proposition 2 1/2-forced budget cuts have prevented the hiring of any new firefighters, officials said yesterday.

The spokesmen also said the average age of the city's firemen is increasing, which they said will reduce the departments effectiveness.

Many Massachusetts cities have had to lay off or not hire any new firefighters in the last two years because of Prop 2 1/2. "We haven't hired anybody in the last year," said one Cambridge official.

There have not yet been any actual layoffs in Cambridge because 20 vacancies in the fire department were left unfilled last year, an official said. But lay-offs may occur when the new budget takes effect in April, he added.

"With fewer men available, more of a heavy work burden will be placed on the older men," a Cambridge official said. They are prone to more heart attacks because they're not as physically capable, he added.

Last week, a 60-year-old Salem fireman died of a heart attack while fighting a major blaze.

The Salem fire department deputy chief. Robert Crowley, said yesterday "Our average has gone way up." Before there were 10 to 12 men in their 20's on the force, but now there are only two, he added. He also said the total number of men has decreased from 114 to 95 over the last two years and more will probably be laid off this summer.