Sparta FD In Need Of More Volunteers And Firefighters

A lack of volunteer interest and current staffing numbers has the Sparta Fire Department in need of more positions.

Fire Chief Kirk Young said the city is considering paying volunteers as part-time employees to help resolve the issue.

“It’s a matter of going to the scene and having enough people at the scene,” Young said. “I see in the future adding more staff, because of the need to respond to certain calls.”

Young said the city only has about four to five volunteers. Young said that number has regularly decreased for several years due to many factors such as family and careers.

Young said he thinks the part-time pay would help decrease overtime hours. Young said some firefighters are working over 100 hours every two weeks.

Young said the department is currently taking applications for volunteers and full-time staff. Young said currently, 16 paid firefighters work along with the volunteers.

Young said the department serves as the back up for first responding for EMS, so workers are spread thin sometimes.