The Fort Wayne Fire Department is at a crossroads. Years of staffing shortages, denied injuries, threatened benefits and failed leadership have taken a toll on our firefighters.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's 2016 budget proposal now has the backing of the city's police and firefighter unions.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends 17 firefighters respond to a two-story woodframe house fire. Currently, Austin sends 32. Under the proposed changes, the number would drop to 24, ...