Recent budget cuts have left the Minneapolis Fire Department short staffed, and as a result, overtime pay for just April and May has totaled $190,000, according to KTSP-TV. Council member Gary Schiff said he doesn't expect it to stop there and projects overtime costs for 2012 could exceed last year's staggering $1.1 million total.

The department was forced to lay off six firefighters last year and 19 are currently injured, Schiff told the news source. This has not only roused questions about budgeting, but also about safety, reports KARE-TV Five firefighters were injured last Sunday night when responding to a three-alarm fire in a South Minneapolis church. In response to the incident, some have asked whether reduced staffing levels are safe.

Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel told the news outlet that while he'd love to add more members to the team, but there are funding concerns.

Since firefighters and other first responders are not considered exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), it might be challenging for departments to add staff without going over budget. Fortunately, advanced payroll processing services have emerged that can help employers schedule additional employees as necessary while sticking to allotted fu

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