In 2010, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology found that the size of a firefighting crew affects how quickly firefighters could complete 22 essential firefighting tasks. Four-person teams were 30 percent faster than two-person crews and 25 percent faster than three-person crews.

Someone should have shared this report with elected officials because they are forcing dangerous cuts to firefighting crews across the state. From Detroit to Hamtramck to Taylor, mass layoffs have been issued.

Local communities are losing firefighters because politicians in Lansing keep handing out tax breaks to corporate special interests. Proposal 2 to protect collective bargaining will make it more difficult for corporate special interests to pressure Lansing politicians to do their bidding.