A call for more hands on deck, Colonial Heights Fire & EMS is applying for a federal grant that would add more firefighters to the staff.
Tuesday night, the city council voiced their support for the application process.
"It's very busy, we're very often running 3,4 EMS calls simultaneously, while also trying to provide fire service to our citizens," Deputy Chief David Salot said. The department responded to 5,000 calls last year, the need for first responders has done up 22 percent in the past 5 years. "Our numbers are low, and even with that it's very difficult to meet that 15," Salot said.
The deputy chief is talking about the recommendations from the National Fire Protection Association.