The Miami Herald reported the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue exceeded its overtime budget which will have a significant impact on the ability of the emergency service to provide for the community. Fire Rescue Spokeswoman Michelle Fayad told the Herald the cuts in the operating budget will not result in any fire stations closing. However, restrictions in spending means that seven fire trucks and four emergency vehicles will be removed from Fire Rescue's resources in what Chief Dave Downey called a "rolling brownout."

Firehouse Magazine reported that by reducing the number of operational vehicles, response times will likely suffer. In an effort to avoid overtime payments, firefighters will cycle through various stations in the county. Downey is responsible for cutting $2 million in overtime. With their current $345 million budget, Fire Rescue keeps four firefighters at a time on each truck. With present staff levels, however, the fire department has increased its average response time to 8 minutes and 17 seconds, which is 12 seconds greater than two years prior.

The Miami-Dade fire department is already facing impending challenges such as further cuts to staffing and vehicle access in October. Potential budget cuts may result in an additional 149 workers and six fire trucks being cut from the program. Facing a shifting time and attendance policy, fire and rescue workers will need to adapt to the new economic realities of the county budget.

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