Chester Township Fire Chief John Wargelin says his department is among those nationwide facing an epidemic.
He's talking about staffing issues.
His department has battled an 85 percent turnover rate in the past five years.
Mentor Fire Chief Robert Searles referred to The US Fire Department Profile, 2017, released by the National Fire Protection Association in March that reported 1,056,200 firefighters in the U.S. in 2017 -- a 2% decrease from 2016.
The number of non-career/part-time firefighters dropped to its lowest estimate since NFPA began reporting this statistic in 1986, the study found.
"What is concerning about the study is that the trend continues and we are feeling it here in Lake County, especially with a decrease in our part-time ranks," Searles said.