In August of 2016 FEMA awarded Jackson, Michigan a $1,673,558.00 SAFER Grant that will give the Citizens 9 more firefighters for two years. The City Council, Mayor and City Manager have refused to accept it because they are using it as a contract bargaining tool. Our city is protected by only 4 firefighters per shift, 17 total on staff. We have been asking them since July to please accept the grant so our City, firefighters and citizens can be safe and not depend on other departments as additional staff for every call, they are refusing.

If this grant is not accepted we will be forced to have 4 firefighters per shift, we only have 17 total and the City will not hire more even though they admitted more staff is needed. We citizens and the businesses will be put in grave danger because of the Mayor and City Manager. I say this because on September 21st, 2016 Mayor Bill Jors stated on the Bart Hawley show "No Council Member is involved in negotiations, Patrick gets to do all of that." The Mayor and City Manager are not allowing our City Council Members to support our efforts to safely staff our city!

We are citizens of Jackson, Michigan with no ties to the fire or police other than we care about them safely protecting us and themselves. Let the City know we will not accept this behavior and we need safety and staff at safe levels to protect us and you if you visit our wonderful city.