by Heather Graf
LEBANON, Tenn. - A firefighter shortage in the city of Lebanon could soon put lives at risk. In fact, the fire chief said it's already happening.
"It's my responsibility as fire chief to make City Council and the Mayor aware of our needs, and I feel like I'm letting the city down and my employees down if I don't speak up and say something, because it could possibly get someone hurt," said Chief Chris Dowell.
During a recent warehouse fire at Omni Resource Recovery, the first truck, equipped with three firefighters, arrived on scene just four minutes after the call came in. They did what they could from the outside, but because of federal safety regulations, firefighters had to wait more than six-and-a-half minutes for the second truck, and additional crews, to arrive.
"One of the mandates, OSHA rules, is two in and two out," said Dowell. "Every two firemen you have inside, you have to have two outside."
Dowell blames his department's lack of manpower. He said only one position has been added to the force in the 22 years he's been there. He wants city council to hire 12 additional firefighters no matter how much it costs.
Mayor Philip Craighead said he understands the need, but in recent years, council's hands have been tied by financial restraints.
"Our last two years, it's been hard times, and like so many places, we've almost gotta live month to month by sales tax, and how much revenue is coming in," said Craighead.
The city has applied for several grants that would help fund the positions, but without or without outside help, the mayor said he's committed to bringing in more firefighters for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.
"We'll be looking at trying to put a little manpower in this coming budget," he said. "We want to make sure we're taking care of everybody."
The Lebanon Fire Department currently has 39 firefighters on staff. Adding 12 new positions would cost the city about $750,000. Mayor Craighead said a small property tax increase may be required to foot that bill, but it would be the city's first tax increase since 1992.
Chief Dowell said there's no doubt it would be money well-spent.
"It's really important," he said. "I know the people in Lebanon are in bad times right now, but how much is your grandchild, your husband, your wife, your home, what is it worth?"
Email: hgraf@newschannel5.com
