Site will still be sacred

Hundreds of firefighters demonstrated in New York City Friday, protesting a decision to cut the number of workers searching for bodies at the World Trade Center site. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani announced that the cuts were made because of worker safety concerns. The Associated Press reported the mayor wants no more than 24 firefighters and 24 police officers at ground zero at any time.\n Firefighters protesting the decision say they are doing so for fear that the recovery effort will turn into a "full-time construction scoop-and-dump operation," according to the Associated Press.\n It is completely understandable why New York firefighters want to spend time helping at ground zero. Their efforts are obviously not about receiving overtime but over concern and respect for the 250 fellow firefighters whose bodies still lie at the site and for the countless other civilian casualties also there. \nBut Giuliani is correct in cutting back the forces working at the site. The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks left the New York City Fire Department severely understaffed. Although 240 training academy graduates received diplomas last week, the Department still needs 100 more to bring its numbers up to what they were before Sept. 11. Although the situation at the World Trade Center site is at the forefront of everyone's minds, particularly in New York City, Giuliani needs to make sure that the Fire Department is prepared to fight other fires. Permitting firefighters to work around the clock by spending off hours helping at ground zero, means they could be fatigued and tired when working a normal shift.\nNobody wants to see the World Trade Center site turn into a "scoop-and-dump" operation. But although life isn't the same, life is going on -- and unfortunately that means New York will face other fires or dangerous situations. While the protester's hearts are in the right place, Giuliani's decision will make the Fire Department more capable of dealing with future situations.\nStaff vote: 10 - 5 - 0\nyes - no - abstain