Akron Firefighters Face Staffing Crisis, Budget Vote Looms
Cleveland News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · The Daily News Now!
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Show Notes
Akron Fire Department Faces Staffing Crisis: Union Warns Budget Cut Could Worsen Shortages
The Akron fire department is grappling with severe staffing shortages, with twenty-five firefighters missing and no new hires in two years. Last year, they logged nearly one hundred thousand overtime hours, equivalent to forty-eight full-time jobs. The city proposes a budget increase, but union leaders argue its insufficient. The department has taken medical units out of service due to overtime costs, causing gaps in coverage. Union president Kevin Gostowski seeks more funding to restore units and ensure reliable response times. Fire Chief Leon Henderson prioritizes crew safety over adding more vehicles. City hall plans to fill vacancies, but skeptics question if it can happen quickly enough. The Akron City Council must approve the full budget by March 31st, with no room for delays.
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