Atlantic City firefighters receive layoff notices

ATLANTIC CITY -Notices were sent out Monday to the city's firefighters about potential layoffs the week before Thanksgiving.

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, or SAFER Grant the fire department received in May 2011 is set to expire next month, which would force the department to layoff around 50 workers.  The grant allowed Atlantic City to maintain a staff of 264 firefighters, a number city officials say is essential to keep the city safe. The city has re-applied for the SAFER grant, but has not been approved at this time. The grant application deadline was delayed earlier this year because of the sequester, and Atlantic City is not high on the priority list. Layoffs would begin November 21st.