By Eddie Rogers
In a good news for sacked Camden Fire Department workers, the department rehired 86 formerly laid-off public-safety workers. Earlier, the city had planned to rehire 30 firefighters and 55 police officers through two federal grants. The city also received $2.5 million payment from the South Jersey Port Corp. But the Federal Emergency Management Agency asked Mayor Dana L. Redd to hire one more firefighter. The clearance came at the last moment.

"I got the call 20 minutes ago," said Prado, 40, who was the lucky firefighter who got his job back. "They told me I had to wear a [uniform] shirt, so I just grabbed the first one." Prado looked happy when he arrived at City Hall for the swearing-in ceremony at 11:30 a.m. These public-safety workers were laid off on Jan. 18. "I'm glad you made it," Fire Chief Michael Harper told Prado as he gave him a bear hug.

The council chambers was full of energy following the swearing-in but some were tense thinking about those colleagues who failed to make the cut. "This should have never happened," said firefighter Wilfredo Concepcion. The last few months have been very difficult for everyone laid off, he said.

The city sacked 336 workers due to a $26.5 million budget deficit. The layoff included 163 police officers and 60 firefighters. Redd failed to win Council approval in February for an amended $163.3 million budget. "At this point, I'm just glad to close this chapter and move ahead with other plans," Redd said following Council's vote.