The Midland and Odessa Fire departments are no strangers to under staffing and cost of living problems.
Like most people in the Permian Basin, new firefighter recruits are having a hard time balancing cost of living and employment, leaving local fire stations with little options.
“We get to respond a lot of things because we are short staffed,” Matthew Foster, Midland firefighter, said.
On average, firefighters do 60 emergency runs a day.
“It’s not just sit around the fire station and do nothing all day," said Charles Blumenauer, Midland Fire Chief. "It’s tough on their bodies and on their minds, but these guys are doing their best to make sure that they’re ready.”
Firefighters are used to carrying a heavy load, but in Midland that load they’re carrying is even heavier because so many of them are having to work overtime to keep citizens safe.