Fire departments nationwide are experiencing manpower shortages.
Fewer people are applying for these positions and, at the same time, older firefighters are retiring and creating vacancies.
The City of Warren has not been immune to these issues. Although the fire department has bolstered its ranks this year, retirements have left it short staffed again. During a Warren City Council Committee of the Whole meeting last week, Councilman Garry Watts criticized the city’s administration and blamed Mayor James Fouts for the shortage.
Fouts countered he is working with Fire Commissioner Skip McAdams and the firefighters union to negotiate the addition of some incentives that would make Warren more attractive to recruits.