Cuts coming to county fire department

Cuts are on the way for Baltimore County’s Fire Department as officials forecast a budget deficit blamed on overestimating the number of retirements.

Department Chief John Hohman and union leaders said they agreed earlier this week on cutbacks that would not affect services but would require some support personnel — such as fire dispatchers and investigators — to staff firetrucks and ambulances. A spokeswoman for Hohman described the cuts as precautionary and minimal.