(GARRETT) - City officials in Garrett are considering adding paid firefighters as call volume rises and volunteer response rates decline, according to reports presented at this week's Board of Works meeting.
Fire Chief Doug Castator said the department responded to 64 incidents in January, including 49 emergency medical calls, four fires, six hazardous condition calls and five public service runs. Medical assists accounted for roughly 75% to 80% of responses.
Castator said the department now averages about two calls per day, but fewer volunteers are available to respond. He noted that the same five firefighters handle about three-quarters of the runs.
He told city officials the challenge is widespread, as many volunteers must leave full-time jobs to respond -- sometimes for calls that ultimately do not require deployment.
Castator recommended the city consider establishing a paid staff and developing a long-term strategic plan. Mayor Todd Fiandt said the idea has been discussed informally for several years.