© Provided by MyNBC 5 fire fighters
This week there have been several fires across our region.
Many fire departments, asking for more help from other departments that are already struggling.
As COVID-19 continues to put a strain on the health care system, fire departments and emergency medical technicians across the state are also dealing with staffing shortages.
“We responded from Williston we brought a tanker with water but were immediately redirected to send our two resources up to actually help combat that fire and the reason was they didn’t have enough people at the time to do that,” said Prescott Nadeau, fire captain at the Williston Fire Department.
A fire in Shelburne earlier this week needed additional assistance from the Williston fire department.
With a lack of additional firefighters, Chief Collette at Williston FD often finds himself back at the station while others are responding to a call.
“The full-time career staff that we have has a minimum staffing clause of three personnel on duty at any given time so right now as you can see all the career staff is out, they’re on a call there are no other persons that came in and I am the single person that’s in the firehouse,” Collette said.
He is hopeful voters on Town Meeting Day will pass a proposed budget that would allow the department to hire nine more firefighters.
But right now, he says nothing is more helpful than volunteers.
“It’s as simple as reaching out to your local fire or ems department they all need help statewide so whether it be the town of Williston or any local volunteer fire or EMS department just reach out,” Nadeau said.
The department also asks if you see a fire hydrant close to your home be sure to clear it 3-feet on all sides which could save time and lives if an emergency arises.
READ MORE:Continuing staffing shortages impacting fire departments across the state