MASON, Tenn. — The town of Mason, Tenn. is in a potentially dangerous situation after aldermen vote to keep the town's firefighters on furlough.

The action came Thursday evening, after a heated discussion on hiring and certification. The town now has to rely on mutual aid from other Tipton County fire stations when something goes wrong.

Mayor Eddie Noeman showed his support Friday for a few of the furloughed Mason firefighters as controversy continues.

"Whose benefit is whose, to close the fire department?," asked the mayor. "Everybody knows when you close the fire department your insurance is going up and you going to have a bad reputation."

The furlough, put in place October 30 over the hiring of Cheryl Wideman as interim fire chief and questions regarding the certification of Mason'

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