Several EMS jobs in Detroit were recently lost.
The City of Detroit announced that as of June 25th it would cut 33 EMS jobs, a move that brought criticism from local leaders and citizens. The layoffs even resulted in a rally of 25 emergency services workers at the Detroit Fire Department.
“The city deserves to hear the sounds of sirens,” Wisam Zeineh, president of the Detroit Emergency Medical Services Association, said at the rally. “You have destroyed the lives of the citizens. The blood of the city is on your hands.”
According to an article by The Detroit News, Zeineh thinks the city should have anywhere from 35 to 45 ambulances in operation, which would cover Detroit’s 900,000 residents. However, there will only be 13 to 15 ambulances available after the layoffs, and police officers may soon be responsible for transporting some injured residents.
Part of the reason for the EMS job cuts is that the city is struggling to balance its $3.1 million budget. In addition, 100 police officers will lose their jobs, 77 parks and two neighborhood city halls will close, and many public services will be reduced.
City officials have not yet announced when the police officer layoffs would take place or whether or not any firefighters will lose their jobs as well.