Atlanta fire stations reopen

ATLANTA, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Atlanta fire stations were open Monday, one day after some stations were closed due to widespread firefighter absenteeism, a fire official said.

Atlanta Fire Department spokesman Capt. Bill May said while some of the city's fire stations were closed Sunday due to a lack of available firefighters, Monday saw staffing levels increase to acceptable numbers, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

"Staffing levels are at a sufficient number today to prevent the closings of any trucks or stations," May said.

Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin J. Cochran said a total of 27 firefighters called in sick on Sunday, prompting the emergency closure action.

The fire chief would not speculate if the sick claims were valid, an attempt to make a political message or related to Sunday's Super Bowl contest.

Lt. Jim Daws, International Association of Fire Fighters head, told the Journal-Constitution Sunday's absenteeism was due to recent budgets cuts in Atlanta.

"This is just a normal consequence of the budget cuts," Daws said. "The conditions the city is asking firefighters to work under plus an 18 percent pay cut is adding to absenteeism."