The Gary City Council has voted to layoff 15 emergency first responders in order to save money.
The cuts were approved by a vote of 6-2 during a special meeting Friday night. Effective Monday at midnight, 15 EMT’s and firefighters will be out of a job. Some of those employees have worked for the city for more than thirty years.
After the cuts take effect, the city will have 35 firefighters who will be cross-trained as EMT’s.
Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson says the cuts put the city between “a rock and a hard place”. In addition to the cuts, six vacancies will not be filled.
2 Comments to “Gary to lay off 15 emergency first responders on New Year’s Eve”
December 29, 2012 at 10:05 AM
I used to work in Gary… had to call for a ambulance once for a collegue, it took them 30 minutes to show up. I don't how they will manage now sad.
December 29, 2012 at 11:09 AM
What a shame Gary has to lay off the first responders to save money. Isn't their another way to get the money and they can keep their jobs? I only hope they have a good retirement to help during the future years. God bless them for their service to the city.