Toledo to Hire Extra Firefighters with Work Comp Rebate

Toledo is using an unexpectedly big rebate from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to increase the size of its fire department.

Ohio businesses and public employers have started getting one-time rebate checks from the state’s insurance fund for injured workers. Gov. John Kasich on June 26 handed out the first of the $1 billion in rebates from the BWC.

City spokeswoman Jen Sorgenfrei says the city will hire 50 firefighter recruits in August, up from the 30 that Toledo originally budgeted for.

Sorgenfrei says the added rebate provides a budgetary cushion that makes the increase possible.

The Blade newspaper reports that initial rebates announced last month provided Toledo about $1.7 million.

Workers’ comp spokeswoman Melissa Vince says Toledo got the extra money because by participating in a program providing an upfront discount on its premium in exchange for taking on a bigger share of claim cost responsibilities.

Toledo fire Lt. Matthew Hertzfeld says the added recruits will help the department keep ahead of retirements.

About 210,000 businesses, schools, local governments and others can expect to see money in the coming weeks from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Checks will range from $5 to more than $3 million.

Kasich says solid investments have made the rebates possible, and he believes the money will help stimulate Ohio’s economy.