Seven retired Springfield fire chiefs have signed a joint letter warning of trouble ahead if the city proceeds with cuts to the fire department budget.

The letter to Mayor Jim Langfelder says it will be a “tall order” to avoid layoffs in the department if the $1.4 million cut stands… and says the only way for that to happen would be at the cost of acquiring and maintaining necessary equipment for the department. The retired chiefs say those cuts would have a “devastating effect” on the fire department’s lifesaving efforts.

The letter was signed by former chiefs Allen Reyne, Barry Helmerichs, Ken Fustin, John Kulek, Bob Bartnick, Ron Hasara, and J.D. Knox.