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Federal grant will put 11 firefighters back on job, hire 13 new ones
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Jeremy Rodgers, right, a laid-off Warren firefighter, is all smiles after an announcement from U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, center, that the city fire department is getting a nearly $5 million federal grant to recall laid-off firefighters and hire new ones. At left is Marc Titus, president of the firefighters union. The announcement was made Wednesday at the central fire station in downtown Warren.
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Warren Fire Chief Ken Nussle, left, makes remarks about the grant with Ryan at his side. Because of the city's economic woes, 11 firefighters were laid off in early 2009.
By SEAN BARRON
WARREN
Jeremy Rodgers is going back to work as a city firefighter, and he can’t wait to return to the job.
“I can’t even explain it,” Rodgers said of his impending return. “It will be a blessing for my family.”
Since being let go in early 2009, Rodgers has worked part time for two other fire departments and a police department, he said. He started with the Warren fire department in 2002.
The city received a grant of nearly $5 million that the Warren City Fire Department will use to recall Rodgers and 10 other laid-off firefighters and hire 13 new ones.
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, announced at a news conference Wednesday that a federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant will be used for recruiting and rehiring the firefighters, which will bring the number in the department to 74.
The money will cover all of their wages and benefits for two years, Ryan noted.
The additional personnel also will mean an increase in tax revenue for the city, Ryan explained.
The 11 were furloughed Jan. 1, 2009, mainly because of difficult ecomonic times that resulted in job losses and a drop in city income tax, noted Chief Ken Nussle.
The new hires will fill vacancies left by retirees, Nussle said, adding that his main priority is the safety of residents and firefighters.
“This is a great day for the city of Warren,” the chief said.
Mayor Michael J. O’Brien also praised firefighters’ efforts during the difficult times and said that recall letters are being drafted on behalf of the ones who were laid off.
The U.S. Civil Service Commission is to administer an exam for new firefighters, all of whom will undergo background checks, physical examinations and other procedures, Nussle said, adding that it is hoped the 13 will be on the job in three to four months.
Initially, guidelines for the SAFER grant allocated the funds only for hiring additional firefighters, noted Marc J. Titus, president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 204, which represents the department’s 51 full-time firefighters.
Nevertheless, language was voted on and changed to permit the laid-off personnel to be brought back, he continued.
After the new firefighters are added, two satellite departments, one each on Atlantic Street and Parkman Road, should reopen, Titus said, noting that the main station on South Street downtown is the only one serving the city.
Those who were furloughed should be back to work when city council approves the funds to be allocated to the department, Titus said.