{"id":319944,"date":"2025-10-21T01:21:23","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T01:21:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/319944\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T01:21:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T01:21:23","slug":"firefighters-at-san-antonio-military-bases-continue-working-without-pay-during-government-shutdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/319944\/","title":{"rendered":"Firefighters at San Antonio military bases continue working without pay during government shutdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN ANTONIO <\/strong> \u2013 Federal firefighters at San Antonio\u2019s Lackland, Randolph and Fort Sam Houston military bases fight fires, respond to medical emergencies, inspect buildings and save lives. <\/p>\n

However, they haven\u2019t been paid in a month because they\u2019re in a category of workers furloughed during the government shutdown.<\/p>\n

The shutdown has pressed into its third week.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven though people are shut down and going home we still have to show up every day,\u201d Jesse Rico said. \u201cWe don\u2019t get to make business decisions. We have to actually show up and fight fire, respond to medical emergencies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rico is a firefighter at Lackland Air Force Base and the president of the firefighter\u2019s association for all the local bases. He said his members are struggling and worried. <\/p>\n

WATCH BELOW: Nonprofit gives furloughed firefighters $100 gift cards as government shutdown continues<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cProbably going on a month since we\u2019ve had a paycheck. We work a 48 (hours) on schedule and 48 (hours) off, so it\u2019s a 144-hour work week,\u201d Rico said. <\/p>\n

He has several children, just like Lackland Fire Inspector Derek Ramsey.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a family of five,\u201d Ramsey said. \u201cSo me not being able to provide and be there for them financially the way I\u2019m supposed to, it kind of hurts.\u201d <\/p>\n

Ramsey and Rico joined other members of the federal fire service Monday at the San Antonio Coalition for Veterans and Families<\/a> (SACVF), which gave them each $100 H-E-B gift cards. <\/p>\n

The nonprofit addresses emergency needs of military members and veterans.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause we saw in the community there was a lot of need but there was just so much red tape, we try to set these guys up with their immediate need and then we refer them to the bigger organizations,\u201d said Executive Director Tony Fuentes. <\/p>\n

The SACVF makes quick payments for clients\u2019 hotels, groceries and even utility bills. <\/p>\n

In the last three years, SACVF has served more than 1,200 veterans. The organization has spent $286,490 helping clients, including almost $11,000 in H-E-B gift cards just this year. <\/p>\n

Now, Fuentes and his street team are focused on furloughed workers. <\/p>\n

\u201cI know $100 is not a lot, but it\u2019s going to help them. These guys have families,\u201d Fuentes said. <\/p>\n

Rico said many of the members have also accepted utility assistance from the coalition. <\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes, and it\u2019s been truly a blessing,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

While they live day to day, the workers want the government to see how this shutdown is affecting real people.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy hands are in the air and I\u2019m just like \u2018How hard is it to make a budget?\u2019 We teach this in elementary school, making a budget. Do it,\u201d Ramsey said. <\/p>\n

SACVF is a growing organization, even securing a Bexar County grant. However, it mainly survives on private donations.<\/p>\n

Any veterans, military members or federal military workers can reach out to SACVF<\/a> if they need help by emailing info@sacvf.org<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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