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Chattanooga Report: Need More Firefighters, More Stations
JACQUELINE KOCH
Chattanooga Times Free Press
The Chattanooga Fire Department lacks the personnel and fire stations to meet national standards now, let alone if the city annexes new property, according to a report by the International Association of Firefighters.
"We're not saying we're doing anything unsafe," said Capt. Rusty Rymer, secretary-treasurer of the association's Local 820. "We feel like everything we do is safe. It would be nice to be fully staffed so we could be safer."
National Fire Protection Agency standards dictate that the first firefighter must be on a scene within four minutes of being dispatched and that 15 firefighters should be there within eight minutes.
But most Chattanooga engine companies operate with three firefighters -- four at most -- meaning more trucks must respond to meet that quota.
The city now employs 72 firefighters per 24-hour shift, with a total of 216 in the department. Proposed staffing levels would add 50 firefighters per shift, raising the staff to 366.
Maps included in the association's report show that fire companies from 17 stations can reach 60.3 percent of the city's roads in four minutes. Another map shows that 89.4 percent of roads can be reached in eight minutes from all 17 stations, excluding areas in Big Ridge and East Brainerd.
"What this study basically says is that the city is not adequately covered in that eight-minute time frame," Capt. Rymer said.
The report proposes adding three fire stations to increase the four-minute percentage to 62 percent and the eight-minute percentage to 91.4. The stations could be at the intersections of Jenkins and Shallowford roads, Cassandra Smith and Hamill roads and Mimosa Circle and Swan Road.
It also suggests adding personnel so that each fire truck company has at least four firefighters. That way, fewer trucks would have to respond to reach the target of 15 firefighters.
Chief Randy Parker said the department was addressing the issues raised in the report before its release. A training academy set to begin in early November will adding at least 30 firefighters, he said, and another academy could be held if needed next year.
The city's plan for services for annexation includes building stations in Hixson, East Brainerd and Tiftonia. A groundbreaking ceremony is occurring today for a station at Enterprise South.
"We're low on people right now because we're getting ready to hire and we're doing training right now," Chief Parker said. "We're like everyone else. People are in training, they go on vacation, they retire."
Mayor Ron Littlefield said he appreciates Local 820's interest in expanding the fire department and that the report's suggestions match the goal of annexation.
The mayor said staffing patterns have been consistent and the department has maintained its Class 2 ISO rating, the second-highest fire protection rating issued, during his administration.
"I'm happy that they want to see the department grow, which is exactly what the whole annexation program is about," he said. "I look forward to seeing the annexation program help us to add to the services, including the fire service, that are needed for a progressive urban area."
Mr. Rymer gave the report to Chattanooga City Council members Tuesday night.
Councilwoman Pam Ladd, chairwoman of the council's Public Safety Committee, said she would read over the report. She said she was not sure if it would come up again within the council's committee.
"It may spur me to ask more questions," she said. "We don't want to overlook anything."
Staff writer Cliff Hightower contributed to this story.
Copyright 2009 Chattanooga Publishing Company
September 30, 2009
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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CFD didn't do a "one time" hire of other volunteers when they annexed areas previously covered by VFDs in the past. Why should they do things differently now?
They also have to consider their city personnel rules/regulations, which are likely governed by state and/or local laws. It might even be illegal for them to give hiring preference to anyone in violation of their personnel policies and laws.
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Permalink Reply by Mak FF5 on
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i know this
like i said in my last post i really dont think anyone deserves a first crack i was just speaking out of anger
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In that case, why post on the topic at all?
If you have a legit point, make them.
If you're going to post bogus statements, being angry doesn't excuse it.
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Permalink Reply by blair4630 on
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I would say it's fair because those volunteers have served that area for however many years, both personally and as a department. I look at it from the standpoint that, if my department were to be taken over by our neighboring city, I would want to have a chance to try out for the department, as I have been serving my home town, and would like to continue doing so. Again, I'm not saying dropping of standards, just allowing the first oppurtunity to serve the community they both live in, and have served.
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I don't know anything about the laws regarding this, so that's not something I can comment on. As far as why do things differently now, well that depends on your viewpoint. If you don't believe the volunteers of the annexed area deserve a first crack at the department, then the answer would be not to do things differently now. If you do think they deserve this oppurtunity, then the answer would be because it's the right thing to do, even if it hasn't been done in the past.
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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If you do think they deserve this oppurtunity, then the answer would be because it's the right thing to do,
Why would that be the right thing to do? Why should they be gien "first crack"? Why should a more qualified, higher test scorer, non-affected volunteer be passed over so the affected volunteer has first crack at the job? What makes that affected volunteer so much better than any other candidate for no other reason than their dept or area is annexed?
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i was angry at the time
after cooling down and actually thinking about what i was saying i realized i was talking nonsense
so at the time my posts were legit to me....then i saw how dumb they were
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So what if they served the area, there is no reason they should be given any special circumstances just because the area they covered is getting annexed. I mean if volunteers do things for free and all, then why should they now be given a paid position just because their area was annexed? So what if they served the area before, after annexation that area is now the City of Chattanooga and the city is now the one to provide the services, there is no reason the CFD should have to bring on "affected" vollies. They do have a chance to try out for the CFD, they just have to go through the same testing process as everyone else and should not expect any special consideration.
Chances are that even if hired by the CFD, because they are part of the CFD, they will be placed where needed and probably not in the area recently annexed. They could be in a downtown station or on the complete opposite side of the city, so why give them any more special consideration. Those crews staffing a newly acquired area will have the command structure in place and have officers, etc already established by the CFD. Some ex volly officer, recently hired will still be a new probie FF for the CFD, so reality is it doesn't matter what their prior service was to the new area, they go where the CFD needs them.
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I agree that they may not even serve the area they have protected previously, I just think that their service to that community should count for something, IF they meet the standards of the department.
It' s not so much about them knowing their area, but about them putting in the time and commitement to serve their community. Again, I'm not saying drop the standards of the department, but recognize the people in your area that have given the time and commitment, and take that into consideration.
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I dont' think it makes the vol. ff better than another candidate, but if that vol. meets the standards to serve the dept. that's taking over his/her coverage area, than I think they deserve a shot at it. In response to the coverage area, question, I've responded to your post on the other page...see that.
In response to your initial question, "why would that be the right thing to do?"....that would fall back on if you fall into the line of thought that they deserve this oppurtunity...otherwise you would fall into the line of thought that they don't deserve the oppurtunity. I think it's pretty self-explanatory...per my last post above yours...if you think it's right, then that would be the right anwer, if you don't, then it wouldn't be...
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well I got news from a credible source that they will only be hiring candidates who live in the city limits
so that just makes me more upset but theres apparently nothing I can do about it
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Well Mark, if the reason they're taking over your territory is because it's being annexed into the city, won't you then be in the city limits?
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