Tulsa's Police And Fire Unions Launch Layoff Impact Web Site

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- The city of Tulsa's police and fire unions have launched a web site with information about police officers and firefighters that could be impacted by layoffs. 

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #93 and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local #176 say it can be reached from links on either of their respective web sites. 

Union officials in a news release say the new web site contains pictures of "the affected public servants and a brief statement about their families, service to the citizens, future aspirations, and achievements."   

"We want the citizens of Tulsa to understand what is at stake in these potential layoffs.  These individuals have personally invested in the Police and Fire Departments and therefore in the City of Tulsa.  The citizens of this city need to understand that there is a face and name with the numbers being discussed," said Tulsa FOP Trustee Ryan Perkins. 

"The City of Tulsa has also made a significant investment in the training of these Fire Fighters and Police Officers, an investment that may not be recovered if they are laid off and leave for other employment.  We hope that citizens will take a moment to empower themselves with knowledge about the current situation at our organizations' web sites, then see the individuals that have taken oaths to protect this city," said Tulsa IAFF President Stan May.

Earlier this month, Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett asked department heads to plan for a 2.2 percent and a 4.4 percent cut in their budgets. 

The mayor now has those recommendations and is expected to announce his decision next week.

12/18/2009 Related story: Worst Case Scenario For Tulsa Budget: Hundreds Of Layoffs

12/28/2009 Related story: Tulsa Police Chief Gives Mayor A "No Layoff" Option