The City of Gadsden is keeping you safe by fully staffing their fire department for the first time in years. Gadsden Fire Chief Wil Reed says he wanted to be fully staffed within five years, but was able to do it in three.
“We’ve been fighting that for several years now, trying to hit that 100% mark, trying to get back to full staffing,” said Chief Reed.
On Tuesday, the City of Gadsden Civil Service Board approved the hiring of three new firefighters, bringing the department’s line personnel to 107 - two more than budgeted.
“We are allotted 105 positions for line fire personnel, that’s not including my administrative and my leadership staff, that is firefighters, drivers and lieutenants,” said Chief Reed.
This marks the first time in several years that the City of Gadsden will maintain a waitlist for new fire recruits.