VIDEO: Ottumwa’s Fire Department could hire more firefighters - in part time positions.
It was the first item on Tuesday night’s City Council agenda.
The fire crews at Ottumwa Fire Departments have had trouble reaching a minimum of 6 firefighters per shift - even after the 20-percent department cut last year.
Fire Chief Tony Miller breaks down recent losses. “Our green crew has lost one person to another department, we just lost a second person to another department. And we have a third person on the green crew that has an on the job injury.”
Miller calls it an “unusual situation.” They’ve had to call in off-shift firefighters to fill that minimum, racking up overtime.
To save money on overtime, the Fire Department’s looking at hiring part time firefighters.
They’re looking to cities like Johnston and Grimes, which have similar systems.