Lawton, OK – The City of Lawton has responded to recent statements from the Lawton Firefighters Association and acknowledged the public’s concern for the safety of both the community and the firefighters who serve it.
In a bid to clarify misunderstandings, the City emphasized that no changes have been made to standard staffing levels for ladder trucks.
However, due to increased overtime expenses across multiple departments—including sick leave, vacation, training, and other approved absences—the City has implemented temporary restrictions on using overtime to fill certain vacancies. These actions are part of broader efforts to responsibly manage resources throughout all city departments.
Overtime expenses have exceeded budgeted amounts, with several months still remaining in the fiscal year. Specifically, the Lawton Fire Department had budgeted $255,500 for overtime in FY26 but surpassed that by $121,499.22, or 147.55%.
Similarly, the Lawton Police Department had a budget of $1,192,500 for overtime, exceeding it by $118,324.48, or 109.92%. This trend is reflective of a broader issue affecting the entire workforce, not just one department.
To address this, the City recently adopted Administrative Policy 03-40, a policy designed to enforce stricter controls and accountability around overtime use. This policy applies to all departments and aims to ensure responsible budgeting while protecting taxpayer dollars.
While the adjustments to the Lawton Fire Department’s overtime usage are currently based on the City’s financial situation, the City noted that if conditions improve, these measures could be revisited and possibly lifted.
The City acknowledged that the adjustment may be challenging for both citizens and firefighters, and it reiterated its commitment to working closely with all departments to maintain safe and effective services, while ensuring the long-term financial health of the city.
