VIDEO: From small homes to public housing complexes, Cleveland has endured a devastating summer of fires. The causes may differ, but the toll is the same: lives upended, homes destroyed and neighborhoods shaken. And for Mayor Justin Bibb, that toll hits close to home.
“We know our men and women of the fire department put their lives on the line every day to serve our residents,” Bibb said during a Monday press conference. Flanked by fire department leaders and city officials, Mayor Bibb announced a new three-year contract that includes a 21% raise for Cleveland firefighters. “I’m excited about today’s contract announcement. I am excited about the partnership that we have built with Building 93,” he added. The timing is no coincidence. The city has been rocked by a rash of severe fires this summer, including a massive explosion and fire at Garden Valley Apartments that displaced more than 100 people last month.
