The City of Trotwood is aware of the recent statement issued by Trotwood Firefighters Local 4024 regarding the proposed 2026 budget and the status of positions originally funded through the FEMA SAFER Grant. We appreciate the dedication and advocacy of our firefighters, and we share a common priority: maintaining strong, reliable fire and EMS services for the residents of Trotwood. However, several points in the union’s statement require clarification so the public receives accurate information.
1. No full-time firefighters are being “laid off.”
The positions affected are SAFER grant-funded positions that were never permanent and were always understood to expire when federal funding ended.
These are temporary grant positions, not reductions to permanent staffing. All full-time positions protected under the collective bargaining agreement remain in place.
2. The city was not “denied” renewal of the SAFER Grant.
FEMA made changes to the retention portion of the SAFER program nationwide, making Trotwood and other departments across the country ineligible for renewal.
This was not the result of a failed application or poor standing — it was a federal program change to the retention funding for all applicants.
3. The City funded the SAFER positions for an additional 10 months after the grant expired.
When the SAFER Grant ended earlier this year in February, the City of Trotwood voluntarily absorbed the cost through the 2025 budget, even though it was not required to do so.
This was done to allow time to explore every potential option, including grant extension requests and other funding pathways.
4. Fire and EMS services to the community will not be reduced.
Operational coverage remains intact, and the Fire Department continues to meet established response standards.
The elimination of temporary grant-funded positions does not reduce the number of permanent firefighters serving the community.
5. The city did not propose “budget cuts” to Fire & EMS.
The 2026 proposal reflects the conclusion of federally funded positions that can no longer be supported without grant dollars.
This is not a cut to existing permanent staffing or services — it is the natural end of a temporary federal program.
6. Call volume has increased — which is why permanent staffing has been preserved.
The City recognizes the workload placed on our Fire Department and has continued to protect permanent positions even in a challenging financial environment.
7. Transparency has been consistent since the day the SAFER Grant was accepted.
Both the City and the Union were aware that the positions created under SAFER were temporary and dependent entirely on federal funding.
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