Kettering and Washington Twp. are among the communities searching for more full-time firefighters and paramedics as departments shift away from part-timers, which could come at extra cost.
Finding those full-timers can be challenging because of concerns about pay and the hazards of the position, said Doug Stern, director of communications and public relations for the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters.
“When I came on more than 20 years ago, we all knew we could get burned or fall and hurt ourselves,” he said. “Now, we are finding out about heart disease, cancer, and every illness that is job-related. It doesn’t make it as attractive of a job, and cities are cutting back on their payroll, so they are not paying as well. There are increased certifications you must go through to get the job.”
Departments often focus their recruiting on “instilling the idea that public service is a noble profession and part of it is taking better care of first responders as employees,” he said.