BETHLEHEM, PA — Down from its full complement of 154, Bethlehem Police Department currently has 14 vacant officer positions, Chief Michelle Kott told City Council on Tuesday.And factoring in some officers away on long-term injury or military leave puts the department total in “the high 130s,” Kott s
SACRAMENTO, CA — Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have increased pay for Cal Fire firefighters — a move his office says was driven by budget concerns but one that has drawn strong criticism from union leaders.Assembly Bill 1309, was authored by Republican Assemblymember Heath Flora
Atlanta’s firefighter union is raising concerns about what it calls dangerous staffing shortages across the city’s fire stations, claiming several fire engines are operating below recommended levels. But city officials say the claims don’t reflect the full picture.Continue reading on CBS News
HELMSFORD, MA —A firefighter staffing dispute in Chelmsford has put a spotlight on two recent deaths in the community.Early Saturday morning, two men were killed in a fire at a mobile home on Mobile Avenue.The Chelmsford IAFF Local 1839 firefighters’ union says they believe the deaths could have bee
BARTLESVILLE, OK — Tense negotiations between the City of Bartlesville and the firefighters’ union have come to an impasse.The two have been negotiating since January, but don’t have a deal in sight.Now, the negotiations move to arbitration.Jesse Kane, Bartlesville’s city attorney, spoke about the n
HAVERHILL, MA — Following two recent tragedies and a union letter questioning his leadership, the Haverhill, Massachusetts, police chief announced his retirement Thursday shortly after he was placed on administrative leave.Haverhill Mayor Melinda Barrett confirmed that Police Chief Robert Pistone’s
MEMPHIS. TN — City of Memphis attorneys have entered a consent order for mediation with the Memphis Police Association as part of the civil lawsuit filed by the firefighters’ union.City attorneys added the MPA into the civil lawsuit filed by the firefighters’ union in September as part of a counter
OSHKOSH, WI – Local firefighters finally have their deal.After working for about 20 months without a contract, the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 316 union appears to have reached a tentative agreement with the city of Oshkosh on a new labor deal that runs until 2026.Emails and cal
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FL – The St. Johns County Firefighters Union says current staffing levels and mandatory overtime are pushing first responders to the brink — and now they’re hoping a new work schedule will bring relief.Union leaders are preparing to meet with county officials Friday, as part of an
MADRAS, OR — Jefferson County Fire & EMS is laying off four employees, including an administration position, citing financial issues.Fire Chief Blake said recent delays in reapplying for a new tax ID, which happened after the fire department and EMS merged into one organization, resulted in the stat
LAWRENCE, IN — Lawrence firefighters union president Seamus Albritton says the community might have to wait longer for emergency responses as a result of budget cuts.The Lawrence City Commission recently cut the Lawrence Fire-Medical Department budget by $1.5 million. The department’s response times
LA — The Shreveport Police Union has released a statement regarding Gov. Jeff Landry’s request for federal assistance to activate up to 1,000 Louisiana National Guard personnel throughout the state.Landry announced Sept. 30 on the Sean Hannity show that he submitted a request via a letter to Secreta
DONA ANA, NEW MEXICO — Dona Ana County Fire Rescue is one of the departments taking over ambulance services after the 18-year contract with American Medical Response ended on Sept. 20 due to concerns over response times.However, the transition has sparked mixed reactions among residents and concerns
HONOLULU, HI — About 2,700 police officers across Hawaii will soon be getting pay raises and bonuses in a new contract that could help boost staffing at departments struggling with high vacancy rates.An arbitrator made the decision, ending a contract dispute between the police union and the four cou
OAK PARK, IL — A pair of studies analyzing Oak Park’s fire department found that the village must hire more firefighters. Oak Park’s village government commissioned Baker Tilly to study its fire department. The report was published earlier this month, shortly after the labor union for Oak Park’s fir
HERNANDO, FL — On Tuesday, September 23, Commissioners unanimously approved the 2025-2026 Collective Bargaining Contract between the County and the Hernando County Professional Firefighters Local 3760. Chairman Brian Hawkins called the process “the cleanest negotiation we’ve had” during his tenure.C
TOLEDO, OH — A Toledo Fire and Rescue station is expected to be taken out of service, according to Toledo’s firefighter’s union. Local 92 President Joe Cira told WTOL 11 that the city of Toledo told him in a memo that it intends to take engine 12 and, per his understanding, station 12 out of service
SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH — City Council approved a new three-year police contract Monday (Sept. 29).It is part of an ongoing effort to keep qualified officers right where they are and prevent the city from becoming a “training ground” for other departments.About 50 patrol officers and detectives in the “b
AUSTIN, TX — The Austin Firefighters Association could take actions that may ultimately reduce the Austin Fire Department’s workforce after they say contract negotiations with the city have stalled.“It does not appear at this time the City was ever serious about bargaining in good faith,” said Ronal
MESQUITE, TX — Mesquite city officials say public safety was one of the top priorities in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, but members of the local police union remain at odds with the city council and city manager.The 2025-26 budget approved late last month includes funding for additional o
GRANTS PASS, OR — The Grants Pass City Council approved a 4% across-the-board raise for staff, along with incentive pay. The lowest-paid firefighter will now earn about $72,000 annually. City staff estimate these raises will cost the city an additional $200,000 per year. The pay increase was negotia
PLANO, TX — A new shift schedule that aims to increase recovery time for Plano firefighters and improve recruitment at Plano Fire-Rescue is set to be implemented over the next several years.City Council approved a contract with the Plano Firefighters’ Association that will make Plano Fire-Rescue the
NEBRASKA CITY, NE — Like other city employees, Nebraska City’s police officers are getting a raise from the city’s fiscal 2026 budget.By unanimous vote Monday evening, the Nebraska City City Council approved a two-year agreement with the city’s Fraternal Order of Police organization. Renewed for the
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – The City of St. Petersburg is nearing approval of its $1.1 billion budget, but not without push back from residents and some council members over youth programming, utility rates, safer-street initiatives and a pointed debate about equipment and staffing in the fire department.C
