White County Seeks Solution for Firefighter Shortage

The White County Firefighter Association continues to seek a solution for the firefighter shortage.

Chairman of the association Derrick Wilson said the shortage affects departments nationwide.

“It’s a decline across the nation. It ain’t just mostly in White County or Putnam County, it’s somewhat of a problem throughout the nation,” Wilson said. “And there are different solutions that people have tried and nobody has really come up with a good solution. And its just the mentality of the people not wanting to give up their time.”

Wilson said the shortage stems from the lack of new volunteers.

“There are some different things that we have tried. [Like] setting up at schools and trying to get some Tennessee Promise kids in to get their hours,” Wilson said. “But also get a foothold on the ones that are graduating. But really there is still nothing effective at this point.”

Wilson said the shortage can cause more problems in the future of White County.

“It’s not really been tragic in the White County, but there are problems as far as safety,” Wilson said. “And so state law says that we must have so many people on the engine, so many people at the scene. And we are not even meeting that.”

Wilson said talk of a county-wide fire department may affect the shortage.

“Obviously it’s going to be starting small and then working your way up in numbers. You have to start somewhere,” Wilson said. “And obviously, you want to get the most impacted time of the day, which is during the day and obviously, it is through the work week. ”

Wilson said the implementation of a county-wide fire department would entail looking for most impacted areas as well.

Wilson said the association hopes to create a White County Fire department, but the county officials must approve the project.

“It’s presenting everything to the commissioners and to the county leaders and once they see that it is needed,” Wilson said. “Not only for the safety of the firemen but as well as the people that live in White County, the factories and businesses. Once they see it is needed, then it is a process of going through the chain of command through the county board.”

Wilson said those wishing to volunteer can help cut down on the shortage, even when helping out on fundraising.