By Stephanie Chelf
The Eagle-Tribune
METHUEN, Mass. — The three firefighters in the Howe Street station have a tough choice to make each time an emergency call comes in.
They must decide whether to head out in the fire engine complete with water and pumps, or to take the ladder truck, which has equipment that can reach the roof and upper floors of a building.
"Hopefully they choose the correct one," said fire Lt. Timothy Sheehy, head of the local union, because each truck serves a different need in a rescue or fire situation.
In the past, those firefighters wouldn't have to choose because the North End station would have five people on duty, enough to operate both trucks.
But that's not the case anymore.
Full Story: Cutbacks keep firefighters from rolling all apparatus on calls
