05:53 PM EST on Thursday, February 16, 2006

Reported by: Natasha Barrett

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81 firefighter positions are open in the Virginia Beach fire department.

13News has learned the shortage is could force officials to freeze future personal leave requests. Any leave approved already would be allowed, however.

That news came from Fire Chief Greg Cade’s presentation to council on Tuesday. He said his department is 61% understaffed.

On average, because of the shortage, you'll be waiting 10 minutes for firefighters to get where they need to be. Also, there are now three firefighters on each truck instead of the standard four personnel.

"We're going to show up like we always do and we're going to do the great job that Virginia Beach firefighters always do," said Chief Cade. He admits, though, "If your house is on fire, there's no doubt that it's a scary issue."

"It takes longer to get the people there because they're coming from further distances," explained Ken Pravetz, the firefighters union president.

Va. Beach needs $5 million a year to fill the gap.

As for the possibility of cancelling vacations, Pravetz said that would be a demoralizing.

"I think sick leave would start going up," he predicted.

City Council will have to decide what to do about the situation and what they do will be discussed when they set their budget in the next few months.