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Chief: Soldier Township fire department responded to a record number of calls in 2021, staffing gaps continue
Summary
Chief Doug Schmitt told the township board that the fire department handled a record-breaking number of calls in 2021, attributing part of the rise to COVID-related calls and population growth; the department continues to face part-time staffing shortages although many part-time firefighters are EMTs.
Chief Doug Schmitt told the Soldier Township Board the fire department responded to a record-breaking number of calls in 2021, a rise he attributed in part to COVID-related calls and an increased number of township residents. He reported ongoing difficulties recruiting and filling part-time positions.
Schmitt said most of the part-time firefighters are also EMTs and noted two additional part-timers are currently enrolled in EMT classes. The board did not take action on staffing at the meeting; staffing challenges were noted as a continuing operational issue for the department.
