SAGINAW -- The number of violent crimes and fires could jump in Saginaw if residents vote no to a Public Safety Millage up for renewal on August 3.
The millage will define the future for public safety in Saginaw.
As state revenue continues to decline, and costs to protect citizens continue to rise, the city says without this tax, there is simply nothing left to do but to cut jobs.
The Saginaw Fire Department suits up to fight fires about four times a day. But if a renewal for a public safety tax fails, their workload will double.
"We are keeping are fingers crossed and hoping people show up to the polls to vote," said Ricardo Longoria, the Safety Officer for the Saginaw Fire Department.
The millage includes two proposals, costing homeowners about $350 a year in taxes, but if Saginaw votes no, half of the stations will close and one third of the city's fire fighters will be let go.
If layoffs happen, response times will increase from about four minutes to about five and a half minutes. That doesn't seem like much, but the Saginaw Fire Department says, it's the difference between life and death.
"A fire can really progress in a minute and a half, and if you have a victim trapped inside…"said Longoria.
At anytime 17 firefighters are prepared to protect the city, any less than that and the battalion chief says the safety of his firefighters will be put at risk.
"Well definitely fatigue affects your decision making," said Christopher Vasquez, Saginaw Fire Department Battalion Chief.
And with fewer men on duty, the fire training officer says it could cause a spark in arson.
"You saw what happened in Flint, they laid off all these firefighters, and they were averaging six to seven fires a night, you know calling in mutual aid, we're hoping that doesn't happen here," said Longoria
For now, morale is up at fire station number one, these guys are hopeful residents will say yes on August 3.
The Saginaw Police Department is also included in the Public Safety Millage.
If it's turned down, about 30 police officers will be cut as well.
Saginaw Police Officers say even after two shootings that happened Tuesday night, violent crime in Saginaw has been reduced since 2006.
