Low morale is spreading among Detroit EMS with the city's financial crisis

DETROIT, MIch. (WXYZ) - Detroit EMS had their first ever awards night in Detroit Saturday and spirits seemed high despite low morale growing among the group.

“With everything going on, we don’t know, everything is just uncertain.  There are a lot of questions.  We don’t know where they are going to make cuts,” said paramedic Jerry Hunter.

Detroit is in severe financial distress, and Detroit Fire and EMS are running into cash flow problems themselves.  The department will be facing a $1.6 million dollar budget deficit by April.

“I’m here to recognize their hard work and give them some hope to hang on just hang on because it will get better,” said Commissioner Austin.

Austin tried to order 22 new ambulances for EMS, but the city’s bad credit rating did not get them the loan.  So now Austin is trying other things to improve things by partnering with private ambulance services and trimming the types of calls that EMS run on.

“Some o f the basic level support type issues that we are going to have to trim off our plate until the city gets healthier and we can grow our organization again,” said Commissioner Austin.

Commissioner Austin helped honor some of the retirees tonight and a new award was given out for the first time, The William Garlington Memorial Award of Valor.  Garlington was a paramedic who died on Christmas day 2009 in a car accident on his way into work.  His teenage daughters were at tonight’s event to honor his memory.

“It makes me so proud and happy that he helped a lot of people,” said 14-year-old Danielle Garlington.

“To know that our dad was really good at his jobs is awesome,” said 12-year-old Hannah Garlington.

EMS workers are hoping for a better new year despite looming financial hardships.