Phila. firefighters march, protest proposed cutbacks

Inquirer staff writer Vernon Clark reports:

Declaring Mayor Nutter's proposed Fire Department cutbacks a threat to the safety of citizens and firefighters, about 2,000 Philadelphia firefighters and their supporters held a midday march and rally at City Hall today.

Chanting, "Cutbacks Kill, Cutbacks Kill, the Philadelphia firefighters, along with firefighters from across the state and members of local trade unions, marched from Fourth and Callowhill Streets to Market Street and on to City Hall.
Brian McBride, president of the Philadelphia Fire Fighters' Union, spoke to the gathering at the northeast entrance of City Hall in front of a set of about nine plaques embedded in the ground, honoring fallen firefighters

"I don't want to buy any more plaques. We don't want to bury any more firefighters," McBride told the crowd. "What kind of city would risk the lives of its citizens and firefighters to save a few dollars?"

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