The Fire Department hired three new firefighters, creating a fully-staffed department after months of firefighters working overtime to cover shifts.
The department announced the new hires during a city council meeting in August, during that time the hires were trained and are expected to begin work this week.
The three new hires bring the staffing personnel to 13 including the chief. Cal City firefighters operate in four-man teams, and without their full staff have been taking extra shifts to help meet the demand in the area.
Captain David Orr says having a full staff helps the department meet safety requirements and will ease workload for the firefighters.
“The new personnel will ease many operational workloads and tasks throughout our fire department, including reducing overtime and personnel burnout due to high call volume, and taking charge of programs that are not being attend too due to current staff shortage.”