VIDEO/PHOTOS: Firefighters are often seen as the ones who come to the rescue, battling blazes. But many donโt realize they face their own challenges back at the station.
โWe’ve had vacancies for the last couple of years,โ Rendon Fire Department firefighter and paramedic Brian Meroney said. โWe’re constantly trying to hire.โ Meroney added that staffing is an issue for many departments. โMunicipalities, fire departments, are all competing against each other for a pool of firefighters, paramedics and EMTs that just aren’t enough,โ Meroney said.
NBC 5 checked with several fire departments. Plano Fire-Rescue reported it has a difficult time filling vacant positions. The department has 413 personnel and seven vacancies. Dallas Fire-Rescue said it will be fully staffed by October and remains on a continuous hiring cycle. The Fort Worth Fire Department reported no staffing shortage. The Garland Fire Department has 292 sworn members, and seven new firefighters recently started. The Rendon Fire Department is utilizing new technology to address its staffing shortage.
