CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley declared a state of emergency for the city Wednesday morning, specifically regarding first responder capabilities.
What You Need To Know
- Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley issued a state of emergency for the city
- The order focuses on staffing issues with the fire department
- Rising COVID-19 cases and holiday time off have cause the concern
- The order was enacted for 60 days
Cranley said after speaking with Cincinnati Fire Chief Michael Washington Sr., Cranley decided to issue the state of emergency citing rising COVID-19 cases in the Cincinnati area. He specifically listed a combination of COVID-19 cases in the department with scheduled holiday time off.
“The rise in cases has created staffing challenges for the fire department,” Cranley said. “However, public safety and the delivery of basic services remain our top priority.”
The order said the impact on fire department staffing constitutes a “public danger and fire-safety emergency that, if unaddressed, would cause staffing shortages that would substantially undermine the city’s firefighting and first responder readiness levels.”
Due to the "rapid surge in COVID-19 cases during this holiday season," Cincinnati Mayor @JohnCranley has declared a state of emergency to "help ensure that the City can provide sufficient fire services."
— Casey Weldon (@TheWallyWeldon) December 29, 2021
The full declaration is below.@SpectrumNews1OH pic.twitter.com/hb4vgEJ6zP
The state of emergency gives power to the city manager “to take all action necessary to preserve and protect the public peace and the lives, persons and property within the City of Cincinnati….”
Cranley said he briefed Mayor-elect Aftab Pureval on the situation and Pureval recommended the order follow the customary 60-day duration, which would continue into Pureval’s term.
“I continue to urge everyone to exercise caution this holiday season,” Cranley said. “Please get vaccinated and continue to practice COVID-19 safety protocols.”