Holy Crap!!! Never thought I would see this happen to this department....
City Of Orlando To Cut Over 300 Jobs
Posted: 11:59 am EDT May 13, 2009
Updated: 6:00 pm EDT May 13, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The City of Orlando announced Wednesday it is slashing more than 300 jobs, including 72 firefighters. The city is cutting its entire workforce by 10 percent to try to save $34 million.
The police and fire departments were hit the hardest, with 72 jobs cut from the fire department and 114 jobs cut from the police department. That includes 59 officers and 55 civilian employees.
However, the cuts are coming from every department. The city is even shutting down a brand new fire station.
Orlando firefighter Josh Stewart says he feels like he is on an emotional roller coaster. The City of Orlando laid him off early Wednesday morning. He is one of 47 firefighters who were told they'll be out of a job on October 2.
"All I've known is fire service and rescue service so I guess we'll try to figure something out," he said.
Stewart spent 7 years in Seminole County as a firefighter, he thought Orlando was his dream job so he transferred to the department a year and half ago. Stewart says the news is devastating and he doesn't know how he will support his family.
"I just found out this morning that my wife's pregnant again so she was not thrilled. So we got really good news and really bad news," he said.
The city slashed its budget because of a property tax shortfall. Also, 25 fire and rescue vacant positions were eliminated.
City employees were also affected by the $34 million cut. 342 city wide positions were eliminated, 222 people were laid off and 120 positions that were vacant were cut.
Stewart says he understands the economy is affecting everyone, but feels the city is spending money on the venues versus public safety.
The city denies that claim and says the venues are being supported through other funding sources and they had no choice.
"Services are the only way they have to be cut in order to balance the budget. That is the situation we are in," said Byron Brooks, City of Orlando.
The city says jobs could be saved if other employees decided to retire or quit voluntarily.
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