(03/06/13) - Public safety concerns in Saginaw go beyond violence. Firefighters are hoping to secure a federal grant that will help the department avoid layoffs. The city sent out public safety pink slips in February to avert a projected $3.2 million deficit. Fifteen firefighter jobs are on the line.
The department says the SAFER grant is the only way they'll be able to keep the jobs.The money is used to keep up staffing levels in struggling communities. The federal sequestration could eliminate those grants for next year. That's increasing the pressure to get the money now.
The department applied for the grant months before the pink slips had been issued by the city. The SAFER grant funded through FEMA would allow the department to secure all 15 jobs that are on the chopping block.
Saginaw is up against departments across the nation for the grant. Right now firefighters are just playing the waiting game, hoping to be awarded the funds.
"Morale is real low because of everything going on with layoff talks. Every Friday FEMA releases some grant applications that did receive money, so every Friday everyone is kind of sitting around hoping that our names are on the list, so far we haven't been lucky enough, but we are cautiously optimistic and hoping that we are going to get that call," said firefighter Brandon Hausbeck.
At this point firefighters say "no news" is "good news". If Saginaw is not awarded the grant the department will drop from 50 firefighters to 35, and two fire stations will close. The pink slips would be effective July 1.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:25:17 GMT
(05/21/13) - Weather in Mid-Michigan, Tuesday, will most likely be similar to Monday, with but maybe not quite so much heavy rain, thunder and lightning. Beaverton in Gladwin County seems to have taken
Mother Nature left her mark on Gladwin County. Strong winds knocked down power lines, toppled trees and blew bricks off the top of a building.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:34 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:34:54 GMT
(05/20/13) - After a two-week hiatus students in the Buena Vista School District returned to class Monday morning. Jemicah Coleman, a Buena Vista High School junior, says it was a Monday like many other.
After a two-week hiatus students in the Buena Vista School District returned to class Monday morning.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:01 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:01:11 GMT
(05/21/13) - Some of the incredible video you've been seeing comes from storm chasers.They play an important role in reporting and documenting the destruction in real time.Rob Forry, from the Gaines area,
Some of the incredible video you've been seeing comes from storm chasers.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:55:32 GMT
(05/21/13) They are loud for a reason and they definitely catch your attention. When a siren is activated, you should already know what to do, yet there are some differences among some communities, exactly
(05/21/13) They are loud for a reason and they definitely catch your attention. When a siren is activated, you should already know what to do, yet there are some differences among some communities, exactly
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:51:09 GMT
(05/21/13) - Buena Vista school leaders are working to get things back to normal for students. Tuesday was the districts second day of classes since calling off the school year earlier this month Tuesday
Buena Vista school leaders are working to get things back to normal for students.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:43 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:43:10 GMT
(05/21/13) - Consumers Energy is working hard to restore power in Gladwin County and surrounding areas. A large number of outages are being reported in the Beaverton area. More than 700 people are still
There are still a number of power outages in Gladwin County.
