Several times a day, a Twin Cities fire department does not have a crew immediately ready to respond to an emergency.
The Roseville Fire Department is hoping to add more full time staff to fill that gap. but it’s going to take hundreds of thousands of dollars — and approval from council members. During WCCO-TV’s visit on Monday afternoon, a two-man crew had just returned from a medical call. In less than five minutes, duty called again, and they were back on the road with their sirens blaring.
Had another call come in, the remaining three full-time firefighters would take off in an engine, leaving no more crews available for further calls.
“On average, we’re in a position where there’s no one available to respond to the next emergency seven times every day,” said Chief Tim O’Neill.