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HARVEY, Ill. — Just two months ago, Harvey boasted three fully operational fire stations. Today, the scenario looks quite different, with firefighters reporting that on a fortunate day, two stations might be functional. However, due to staffing challenges, they often have to make do with just one.
The situation threatens to worsen, as the city has announced further layoffs, leaving Harvey’s fire department bracing for an uncertain future.
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“Joining the Harvey fire department was a dream come true for me. I took a $60,000 pay cut to leave my previous job at the plant,” shared Preston Jackson, a firefighter who recently lost his position.
In November, the layoffs became official. Struggling under a $140 million debt, the city of Harvey found itself compelled to make additional cuts, resulting in the fire department now operating with less than half of its original workforce.
In November, they were officially terminated. The city of Harvey, $140 million in debt, was forced to cut even more. Now, the department is operating with less than 50% of its staff.
SEE ALSO | More than 40% of city of Harvey staff placed on unpaid leave amid budget crisis
“In this situation, it significantly increases the chances that something’s going to happen to a citizen, and we are going to be unable to help them,” said laid off Harvey Fire Department Lt. Keith Freeman.
Freeman, part of the most recent layoffs, now fears for what is to come.
“A few weeks ago, there was a situation where we had a structure fire in the north side of town, and the station one here, on the south side of town, they were stuck in a train,” Freeman said.
The National Fire Protection Agency says 46% of home fires happen during the winter months and 53% of home structure deaths happened between November and March.
READ MORE | Harvey residents pack chamber as city council meets for 1st time since mass furloughs
In a statement, the city of Harvey called on the federal government and state for assistance, saying, in part, “Because of long-standing financial problems inherited from previous administrations, the City of Harvey has been forced to implement additional layoffs despite our best efforts to prevent them.”
“We’re all stuck wondering what’s our next move as far as coming back. We want to come back. We want to serve the residents of Harvey,” Jackson said.
The city says there is public safety continuity plan that includes neighboring fire departments coming to help. But firefighters say that is meant to supplement, not replace, Harvey’s fire department.
