Episode Details

New Orleans firefighters are pushing back against a controversial city mandate forcing them to take on higher-stakes duties without extra pay, a clash that briefly shut down multiple fire stations over the weekend and ignited fears over severe staffing shortages. City Hall claims emergency overtime and long-term hiring will fix the issue, but union leaders warn that forcing uncertified personnel into critical roles puts public safety at risk. Michael Harrison, Deputy Mayor of Public Safety for the City of New Orleans, joins Newell to address the firefighters' concerns, explain the city’s staffing strategy, and answer whether residents should be worried about response times.