KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WCYB) — Sounding the alarm — increasing emergency calls, time demands and physical risks — are just some of the challenges fire departments are facing to maintain sufficient staffing levels.
But how are things looking locally?
“Over the last three or four years, we’ve had almost a 45% turnover,” said Barry Brickey, public education & information officer, Kingsport Fire Department. “A lot of that is because we’ve had people who were hired in larger groups back in the 1980s and early 90s, and they were ready for retirement and we had to replace them.”
The US Fire Administration says the decline in personnel is impacting all department types.
News 5 asked: “Generally speaking, not necessarily here in Kingsport, but across the nation as a whole, why do you think it has been such an issue for recruiting and retaining employees when it comes to the fire service over the past few years? “
“It is a difficult job, and a lot of people may think it’s too hard for them and it is very physical, there’s a lot of different things that you may see,” answered Brickey. “You are going to see people who are having their worst day of their lives and you are going to go help them. A lot of people aren’t quite sure they can handle that career, but it is a very rewarding career knowing you might be able to save a life or help some people.”
Leaving those departments to start planning for the future right now.
“We know that we are going to have some people retiring and we are going to be looking for more people pretty soon,” said Brickey.
Fire departments in the Tri-Cities say another beneficial resource is work-based learning programs and partnerships with local school systems.
“A lot of students don’t realize that they can come right out of high school, they can be 18-years-old and come here and start a job in the fire service,” said Brickey.
“We look at it as a career path,” added Capt. Gary Russell, of the Bristol, Virginia Fire Department. “We are always looking for employees, ones that are obviously very interested in the fire service, and we think it is a good idea.”
“The Kingsport Fire Department is pretty active in recruiting,” said Brickey. “We go into the high schools, and actually, go all the way down to the middle schools to talk to kids about careers, what they should learn as they are getting into high school that can help them in their careers in the fire service or emergency services.”