The city of Dayton has until Wednesday evening to seek a federal grant that would give the fire department millions of dollars.
However, it would also cost the city money during a difficult time in the city’s economy.
A recent change in the city’s charter allows it to apply for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant from FEMA. The charter change happened before the COVID-19 pandemic. “None of us saw the COVID emergency coming around the corner when we were working so hard in October to make that happen,” City Manager Shelley Dickstein said Tuesday night.
Dayton Firefighters Local 136, the union representing the Dayton Fire Department’s members, wants the city to apply.
“We’re trying to maintain a level of service Dayton citizens are used to and deserve,” said Kraig Robinson, Dayton Firefighters Local 136.