The Spokane Fire Department (SFD) hopes to hire up to 40 new firefighters to make up for staffing shortage that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
SFD Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer told WKREM 2 that a combination of the pandemic and having to wait on the results of a public safety levy, led to the shortage.
Schaeffer said that once levy passed, they had a hiring process. However, that also fell right at the beginning of the pandemic, meaning they couldn't bring the new hires on for a year.
“All throughout that time, we've had people leaving due to retirement. Also from the governor's mandate, we lost a number of people,” Schaeffer said, adding that a number of the unvaccinated firefighters were hired back into accommodated positions, such as the Fire Marshal's office and in the dispatch center.
In the meantime, the shortage has taken a toll on the department with firefighters getting overtime to pick up the slack. “It's been exceptionally hard for us on a day to day basis," Schaeffer said.
Schaeffer believes hiring 40 firefighters now would go a long way towards getting up to full staff.
Another consideration is the EMS levy that is coming up for renewal. If it passes, it would generate approximately $13.1 million for the fire department's budget, but if it fails it could result in closed firehouses.
“It will certainly result in a decrease of at least 80 positions and that across our entire deployment system will definitely impact response times and outcomes," Schaeffer told WKREM 2.
The EMS levy vote is scheduled for next week.
