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We are here to inform you how the city is gambling with budget sacrifices and hurting your safety.

This page was put together to keep you, the public informed about your safety. With enough public outcry, we can right this wrong and put those 17 laid off firefighters back in a position to protect us, our friends, and our families.

Go to the notes tab for more info on how you can help.

The following is a concise description of what has happened and what will happen as a result of the actions taken by the City of Fort Myers.

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On September 23 2009 the Fort Myers Mayor and Council approved a budget full of projects and costs that could have been postponed due to economic reasons. So what they have done is layoff 17 Firefighters to accomplish and fulfill their special projects.

There was a general consensus of comments that they did not want to lay off the firefighters. Well, they are the elected leaders and they did not have to reduce your level of safety. They chose to and this action that took our staffing back 18 years.

In February the city manager reduced the minimum staffing from 33 firefighters per day to 29. Then in May the city manager lowered the minimum to 27. Now with the layoffs of 17 firefighters they have ultimately placed the minimum staffing at 12 less firefighters per shift, or 21 per day. That is a difference of 13 firefighters per day in a city that has no fewer square miles served nor citizens that live and travel through our community.

This will ultimately shut down two rescue trucks, a ladder truck and possibly an engine on any given day. It may lead to the closing of a fire station, maybe yours.

Firefighter safety and requirements for performing successful interior structural fire attacks should not be subject to political debate.

We encourage all businesses and resident to call and contact your elected leaders and provide your unwillingness to accept the decision to lower the safety of this city.