VIDEO: Local fire agencies are sounding the alarm about firefighter shortages in Colorado.
Elizabeth Fire Chief TJ Steck said their pool of firefighter applicants has dwindled in the past 10 years. Additionally, Steck not only struggles to find applicants, he struggles to retain them as well.
"The next five years are going to be a rough period," said Steck.
Around 50% of Elizabeth’s fire academy graduates received interest from metro fire districts. Steck said the small agency can't compete with the higher salary and call volume of larger stations. Aging populations in rural towns can discourage young recruits from staying.
It's an issue across the state of Colorado.
A 2023 state report from the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control found that the state needs 1,085 career firefighters and around 1,300 volunteer firefighters to be adequately staffed.