Wisconsin fire departments struggle with firefighter shortage

  • Source: WDJT-TV CBS 58 Milwaukee
  • Published: 09/10/2019 03:44 PM

Wisconsin fire departments are seeing a shortage of firefighters. In Baraboo, a "Firefighters Wanted" sign hangs from one of the firehouses. The chief there says only four of the 34 firefighters he has on staff are full time. He says firefighting just isn't a lifelong career anymore. One challenge is pay, another is the time commitment. "We are dealing with a composition of a department where we are relying on people coming from their homes or their full time jobs to answer the call when people need help," said Chief Kevin Stieve. The Baraboo Fire Department is working to recruit potential firefighters by hosting open houses. They're also putting on training programs for high school juniors and seniors so they'll be completely trained by the time they graduate.



Comments

We welcome comments from registered users. Comments are solely the responsibility of those who post them; their viewpoints are not endorsed by the Daily Dispatch and DailyDispatch.com. (read more)
Highlight
ship name
no comments have been added


FREE QUICK SUBSCRIBE
Sign up to subscribe to custom state Daily Dispatch emails for free

click to subscribe