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Saginaw May Cut Firefighters After Grant Falls Through

A deal between the company and government agencies calls for improvements to fish and wildlife habitats tainted by dioxins and other hazardous substances from Dow’s manufacturing complex in its headquarters city of Midland.
City of Saginaw
City of Saginaw

The fire department in Saginaw is preparing to cut 25 percent of staff after failing to get a federal grant.

Fire Chief Christopher Van Loo tells the Saginaw News that one of four stations likely will be closed.

He says there are some areas of the city "that will take a little longer to get to."

Cuts would bring department staff to 38 from 51.

Saginaw has been relying on federal grants to keep staffing above 50.

But the latest round required a local match, something the city couldn't afford.

Van Loo says the latest grants focused on making new hires rather than retaining current firefighters.

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