Fort Worth is America's 2nd fastest-growing city. But while our population grows, the City's current budget proposal moves in the opposite direction on emergency response, reducing minimum staffing on fire trucks from 4 firefighters to 3 for portions of the day, and leaving ambulance units sidelined due to paramedic shortages.
This isn't a hypothetical. It means slower response times when you call 911. It means fewer firefighters on scene during the critical first minutes of a fire or medical emergency. And it's happening as our city adds more residents, more calls, and more demand every year.
Fort Worth residents have already made their priorities clear. In a recent City of Fort Worth survey, over 90% of residents said it is unacceptable to cut Fire and EMS response. That's not the firefighters' opinion. That's what our neighbors told city leaders directly.
For years, the firefighters of IAFF Local 440 worked in good faith to address staffing and funding concerns behind the scenes. After being repeatedly turned away, contract negotiations with the City have reached impasse. We've been left with no choice but to bring this to the community we serve.
Budgets reflect priorities. Residents made Fire and EMS their top priority. It's time city management does too.
We are asking Fort Worth City Council and city management to:
- Fully fund Fire and EMS staffing, including reversing proposed reductions from 4 to 3 firefighters per truck
- Address the paramedic shortage causing ambulance unit shutdowns
- Ensure the 2027 city budget reflects what residents have already said is their top priority
- Commit to transparency and accountability in how emergency response funding decisions are made
Sign this petition to tell Fort Worth city management: Fire and EMS response isn't optional. It's the baseline every resident deserves as this city keeps growing.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
July 27, 2026
Reached 500 supporters
July 27, 2026
Reached 250 supporters
July 27, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
July 27, 2026
272 Comments
Trim the deficit with projects and positions in non public safety roles. The safety of our citizens and our firefighters is not something to bargain with!
With a fast growing community that will only keep growing it only makes sense keep as much manpower as possible to help with response times and boots on the ground. I support FWFD
I live and work in Fort Worth. Fire department staffing affects my families safety when I’m at the fire station. Fire department staffing also affects the safety of my firefighters and the well being of their families. That is a responsibility I do not take lightly. City management needs to take that same responsibility to heart.
We cannot short are Fire department for 10 hours. A lot can happen in that timeframe. The City of Fort Worth can afford to not only keep these men and women staffed appropriately but also give them a well earned raise. It’s just common sense if the city can afford to spend hundreds of millions on a refurbished city hall…. They can afford to pay these members well.
Theres no other option but to support those that are supporting the whole city and more.
They run toward emergencies that most people are trained to avoid, including fires, rescues, and hazardous-material incidents. Their work protects both lives and property, which can save communities major losses when fires are stopped early. The job often involves irregular shifts, overtime, missed family time, and stress that can affect health over years.
I was one of the people who took that City survey about what's important to me. The answer is emergency services and infrastructure, in that order. I also listed a lot of ways they could cut the budget. City of Fort Worth needs to listen to its residents, and keep us safe!
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Fort Worth is America's 2nd fastest-growing city. But while our population grows, the City's current budget proposal moves in the opposite direction on emergency response, reducing minimum staffing on fire trucks from 4 firefighters to 3 for portions of the day, and leaving ambulance units sidelined due to paramedic shortages.
This isn't a hypothetical. It means slower response times when you call 911. It means fewer firefighters on scene during the critical first minutes of a fire or medical emergency. And it's happening as our city adds more residents, more calls, and more demand every year.
Fort Worth residents have already made their priorities clear. In a recent City of Fort Worth survey, over 90% of residents said it is unacceptable to cut Fire and EMS response. That's not the firefighters' opinion. That's what our neighbors told city leaders directly.
For years, the firefighters of IAFF Local 440 worked in good faith to address staffing and funding concerns behind the scenes. After being repeatedly turned away, contract negotiations with the City have reached impasse. We've been left with no choice but to bring this to the community we serve.
Budgets reflect priorities. Residents made Fire and EMS their top priority. It's time city management does too.
We are asking Fort Worth City Council and city management to:
- Fully fund Fire and EMS staffing, including reversing proposed reductions from 4 to 3 firefighters per truck
- Address the paramedic shortage causing ambulance unit shutdowns
- Ensure the 2027 city budget reflects what residents have already said is their top priority
- Commit to transparency and accountability in how emergency response funding decisions are made
Sign this petition to tell Fort Worth city management: Fire and EMS response isn't optional. It's the baseline every resident deserves as this city keeps growing.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
July 27, 2026
Reached 500 supporters
July 27, 2026
Reached 250 supporters
July 27, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
July 27, 2026
272 Comments
Nothing speaks louder to a misrepresentation of your cities residents than to lower the ability to care for them in emergencies as the need for this care and response rises.
Trim the deficit with projects and positions in non public safety roles. The safety of our citizens and our firefighters is not something to bargain with!
With a fast growing community that will only keep growing it only makes sense keep as much manpower as possible to help with response times and boots on the ground. I support FWFD
I live and work in Fort Worth. Fire department staffing affects my families safety when I’m at the fire station. Fire department staffing also affects the safety of my firefighters and the well being of their families. That is a responsibility I do not take lightly. City management needs to take that same responsibility to heart.
We cannot short are Fire department for 10 hours. A lot can happen in that timeframe. The City of Fort Worth can afford to not only keep these men and women staffed appropriately but also give them a well earned raise. It’s just common sense if the city can afford to spend hundreds of millions on a refurbished city hall…. They can afford to pay these members well.
Theres no other option but to support those that are supporting the whole city and more.
They run toward emergencies that most people are trained to avoid, including fires, rescues, and hazardous-material incidents. Their work protects both lives and property, which can save communities major losses when fires are stopped early. The job often involves irregular shifts, overtime, missed family time, and stress that can affect health over years.
I was one of the people who took that City survey about what's important to me. The answer is emergency services and infrastructure, in that order. I also listed a lot of ways they could cut the budget. City of Fort Worth needs to listen to its residents, and keep us safe!
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Nothing speaks louder to a misrepresentation of your cities residents than to lower the ability to care for them in emergencies as the need for this care and response rises.