While the extreme heat and call volume increase, a Louisiana fire department isn't seeing that trend in its volunteer corps.
Scott Fire Chief Chad Sonnier told KLFY two crashes this past weekend on a local interstate were extended operations and crews were stretched thin.
“When you call another community to come help, that’s taking away safety from that community. You’re endangering not only one community, but two,” he said, adding that firefighters from Lafayette and Duson assisted.
The crashes required at least 12 hours of attention and involved heavy rescues. Crews were spent as the temperatures soared during the operations.
Sonnier, one of 50 fire service leaders from across the country selected to attend the Firehouse Chiefs' Summit this week in Orlando, said he knows the volunteer shortage is hitting departments nationwide. Recruitment and retention will be one of the topics of discussion.
He said the volunteers work alongside the department's salary and contract firefighters. The incentive to hire program pays between $10 to $25 per call, based on experience and training.
The chief said the department is doing what it can to attract additional personnel as they are desperately needed.
