A local fire chief has become president of the state firefighter’s association and plans to bring the conference to Owensboro next year.
Pat Thompson, chief of Airport-Sorgho Fire Department, was elected chief of the Kentucky Firefighter’s Association last month at its annual conference.
As president, Thompson will be in charge of helping lead the association in promoting legislation to address problems facing the state’s fire service. Thompson said that task is more important now than ever as career fire departments are seeing dwindling interest by applicants along with the funding troubles local governments are inheriting due to the state pension crisis.
“It used to be a trend that you make a little less money, but your benefits are really good,” Thompson said. “Today, it’s not as attractive and that’s the biggest thing affecting the career fire service. The funding required to fully fund benefits for departments will mean a greater burden on the local taxpayers.”