San Jose is coming up short on firefighters and paramedics, and filling the slots is challenging.
And, they are not alone struggling to attract and keep personnel. It's commonplace across the state.
The NBC Bay Area reporter noted that firehouse.com lists the fire department as the 15th busiest in the nation. Regardless, they're still trying to get to full staffing.
“When you’re working those 48 straight hours, paramedics 96 straight hours, week after week, with little time to sleep, it’s a major concern for their safety and well-being,” Matt Tuttle, of San Jose Local 230 told reporters.
He said San Jose is competing against other departments for medics. Therefore, the recruit classes are getting smaller and smaller.
It’s a race the Marin County Fire Department says it’s also running.
“All of us in smaller departments are also struggling with recruitment and retention of our paramedics,” Fire Chief Jason Weber said.
