Firefighters’ union raises alarms about proposed cuts to rescue units in Arlington

Arlington firefighters' union opposes proposal to merge heavy rescue units

Arlington’s firefighter union is pushing back against the consolidation of the local fire department’s two heavy rescue units into one. It’s included in the Arlington County manager’s proposed FY 2027 $1.69 billion budget. A heavy rescue unit company is trained to respond to complicated incidents that require an advanced technical response. This includes rescues involving structural collapse, ropes or confined spaces and more high stakes situati…

Firefighters’ union raises alarms about proposed cuts to rescue units in Arlington

A budget proposal in Arlington, Virginia, would combine two specialized fire rescue units into one, a move their union said would cut staff and slow response times. The heavy rescue companies handle more of the dangerous and complex rescues — from using tools like the Jaws of Life to help people who are trapped in cars to rescuing people trapped in fires. The local chapter of the International Association of Firefighters in Arlington said the cu…