Atlantic City would reduce its fire department by a third and virtually cut its recreation department under a plan to lay off about 200 employees it has submitted to New Jersey, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
The state’s Civil Service Commission has approved the plan.
The layoff plan includes 40 of the 52 employees in the city Recreation Department, along with 85 firefighters—a 36 percent reduction—according to city officials speaking to the Press.
No police officers would be laid off, officials said.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie hired Emergency Manager Kevin Lavin to oversee the city’s finances and try to avoid having the city file for bankruptcy. Lavin has said that an unspecified number of layoffs would be needed.
The city will likely close two of its firehouses. Of the department layoffs, 50 are paid by a federal grant that would be ended, meaning the city would only see savings on about 35 firefighter’s salaries.
