It’s common practice for smaller fire departments to rely on paid-on-call firefighters and emergency medical personnel. However, a number of departments in the Stateline Area say the challenges they face related to recruitment, budget constraints and scaled-down training opportunities have increased due to COVID-19.
Village of Clinton Fire Protection District Fire Chief Mark Ruosch, who joined the department in 2019, said COVID-19 has slowed recruitment efforts and put a limit on how the department typically trains with its neighbors.
“We had to stop in-person trainings,” Ruosch said. “We’re starting to see that pick up again. It’s not a problem that’s specific to us.” Clinton’s paid-on-call roster is around 30 staff members, and the department, like others, relies heavily on collaboration and assistance with area departments for fighting larger fires or responding to larger medical incidents.