FL Fire Depts. Pulling out All Stops to Recruit, Retain Firefighters

As 9-1-1 calls increase across the country, many fire departments are struggling to keep up with demand.

Marion County, FL Fire Rescue Chief James Banta heads one of those struggling departments. They are 80 personnel down.

Banta said the department is actively recruiting local people to join their ranks including reaching out to high school students. But, he added it's just as important to keep personnel.

Firefighter Ryan Lietz told a Matter of Fact reporter that he used to work 60 hours a week. Now, it's 100. And, sometimes he gets a call an hour before he's supposed to go home that he has to stay. 

It's difficult, he says, as his wife is a nurse and they have three children.

He said it drains you, physically and mentally. He wouldn't recommend anyone in his family become a firefighter right now. 

Lietz said there are a number of factors for the shortage in Marion. "We haven't been up to keep up with pay," he said adding that potential candidates also see mandatory overtime.

Alachua Chief Harold Theus, who led a statewide survey, said nearly 3,000 firefighters will retire in the next few years. 

That's why recruitment and retention is so critical, Theus said adding that it appears youths are no longer interested in serving in public safety.

They're marketing the fire service using images of firefighters as heroes. They hope emotional words and phrases will catch the ear of someone looking for a career.

U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell said there is a nationwide shortage of firefighters especially in volunteer departments. 

She noted that in "some places there is no one coming from miles away."