Mayor Andrew J. Ginther has approved adding 25 fire recruits to the Columbus Fire Division by December to fill positions as more firefighters retire than had been expected.
The recruits are to keep staffing near its current level of about 1,580 firefighters, although the division will end the year with 10 more firefighters and paramedics than it had when the year began.
Firefighters said, though, that by the time the recruits are trained and graduate early next year, the division will have lost 10 more people to retirements, negating any gain.
“As our city continues to grow and attract new residents, we must continue to invest in the Columbus Division of Fire to ensure we maintain the firefighters necessary to keep Columbus neighborhoods safe,” Ginther said in a statement.
Ginther also wants to reduce firefighter overtime, something Fire Chief Kevin O’Connor said he has been trying to address.