Saratoga Springs could lose 16 firefighters after grant ended

Saratoga Springs could lose 16 firefighters after grant ended Dan Levy and Sarah Darmanjian WNYT Potential firefighter layoffs looming for Saratoga Springs Fire Department Potential layoffs are looming for the Saratoga Springs Fire Department after expiration of grant money. SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (WNYT)- Saratoga Springs is weighing layoffs after federal grant money that paid for 16 firefighters ran out. Four years ago, Saratoga Springs received a SAFER grant that let the city hire 16 new firefighters. The funding was temporary, and city leaders now say the money has dried up. In the coming weeks, the city faces decisions that could affect those firefighters and the department. “The psyche, the morale is taking a tough hit right now. We have massive uncertainty right now. We don’t know if the eight firefighters are going to be laid off,” Saratoga Springs Firefighters Union President, Joe Brimhall said. “We want to work with the City Council to try to find some type of compromise on this issue.” “It’s horrific for me, it’s horrific for all of us,” Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner, Tim Coll said. “I wish that we had the ability, the financial ability, to keep our fire department and everyone else in the city. Our fire department is tremendous. They are the gold standard in this area. They do tremendous work.” Eight of the most junior firefighters in the 81-person department are currently slated to be laid off. Follow NewsChannel 13 online and on air for updates on this story.