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Laurel emergency panel weighs hiring six career firefighters to shore up daytime coverage
Summary
City of Laurel emergency services leaders told the Emergency Services Committee on March 23 that volunteer firefighter numbers are falling and daytime call volume is rising, and proposed hiring six full-time firefighters — an estimated $480,000 in annual payroll — to guarantee daytime response.
Chair Jodi Mackay convened the Emergency Services Committee of the City of Laurel on March 23 to hear department reports and a staffing proposal from the Fire Department.
Fire Chief JW Hopper reported the department responded to hundreds of calls in the recent reporting period, logged 436 training hours year-to-date, and currently lists 29 active members. Hopper said volunteer ranks are declining and that ‘‘60% of calls occur during the day,’’ creating gaps in response when many volunteers are at other jobs. The department presented…
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