Lorain City Council approved a $28 million budget Thursday night and sealed the fate of up to 15 firefighters. Those hard-working individuals will lose their jobs as the city attempts to make up for a $3.6 million budget shortfall while keeping jobs and city services intact.
City officials tell Cleveland 19 that one fire station will close, but Lorain firefighter Tom Baker says it's going to be a lot worse.
"Your fire department will be decimated," Baker told Lorain City Council. "Be clear about that."
Baker believes up to two fire stations will be closed.
One Lorain councilman, who does not want to be named, tells Cleveland 19 that there's been a lot of negotiating and some confusion. But to him, it now looks like 12 to 15 fire fighters could be cut, and one fire station would close. The councilman believes those cuts would pose a danger to community members.
Last week, 20 police officers and 20 firefighters were on the chopping block. Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer tells Cleveland 19 the police union and the city came to an agreement and no officers will be laid off.
It's clear the fire union and the city couldn't reach a deal to save firefighters.$28 million budget Thursday night and sealed the fate of up to 15 firefighters.