In an emergency, we all want firefighters to be able to respond right away.But the reality is hiring the staff to do that has been tough as of late.Ninety departments in Vermont held open houses earlier this month to encourage people to apply.But now, whether it’s career or volunteer, the Vermont Division of Fire Safety said most departments in the state are hiring and at all different levels.”Nearly every community is looking for firefighters,” said Michael Skaza, Chief of Training at the Vermont Fire Academy.The need for more firefighters comes as many departments are facing back-to-back years of reduced staffing.”If you don’t have enough people to respond, then it’s a lot more work and requires more resources from a larger catchment area,” Skaza said.Fire Chief Steven Locke at the South Burlington Fire Department said having more staff helps them in the long run.”It’s just a work-life balance for our employees, and when they’re forced to work so much overtime, that disrupts their home life which then puts pressure on their work performance here,” Locke said.Across the board, there are openings in Vermont for all kinds of positions.”There are departments out there that are looking for people to do just specific duties, and there are departments that are looking for the firefighter that can do all of the tasks of a firefighter,” Skaza said.For the first time in years, Locke said the South Burlington Fire Department is fully staffed for both career and volunteer firefighters.”We’ve been in a point of almost rolling hiring,” Locke said.He added that staffing isn’t the only thing that’s increased for the department.”Our call volume has grown significantly here, including our medical call volume, to the point that about 25% of the calls in this city, another ambulance service is handling because we cannot cover those,” Locke said.To keep up with the demand, the department will be creating six more positions in the coming months. In addition, the city has agreed to staff a second ambulance, starting in January 2024.For now, Locke said being at full staff is a great help.”Seeing so many fresh faces and so many people happy to be doing this job, which really is the best job in the world,” Locke said.Plus, when it comes to a career or volunteer position, Skaza said being a firefighter is a great way to give back to the community.”It’s a great way to be a part of something that’s bigger than just an individual,” Skaza said. “There’s a great deal of comradery that comes with joining the Fire Service, so it’s really a satisfying endeavor.”Open firefighter positions across the country can be found through a ZIP code search here. For career positions specific to Vermont, a list of open jobs can be found here.Additionally, you can call your local department as well for their specific needs.
In an emergency, we all want firefighters to be able to respond right away.
But the reality is hiring the staff to do that has been tough as of late.
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Ninety departments in Vermont held open houses earlier this month to encourage people to apply.
But now, whether it’s career or volunteer, the Vermont Division of Fire Safety said most departments in the state are hiring and at all different levels.
“Nearly every community is looking for firefighters,” said Michael Skaza, Chief of Training at the Vermont Fire Academy.
The need for more firefighters comes as many departments are facing back-to-back years of reduced staffing.
“If you don’t have enough people to respond, then it’s a lot more work and requires more resources from a larger catchment area,” Skaza said.
Fire Chief Steven Locke at the South Burlington Fire Department said having more staff helps them in the long run.
“It’s just a work-life balance for our employees, and when they’re forced to work so much overtime, that disrupts their home life which then puts pressure on their work performance here,” Locke said.
Across the board, there are openings in Vermont for all kinds of positions.
“There are departments out there that are looking for people to do just specific duties, and there are departments that are looking for the firefighter that can do all of the tasks of a firefighter,” Skaza said.
For the first time in years, Locke said the South Burlington Fire Department is fully staffed for both career and volunteer firefighters.
“We’ve been in a point of almost rolling hiring,” Locke said.
He added that staffing isn’t the only thing that’s increased for the department.
“Our call volume has grown significantly here, including our medical call volume, to the point that about 25% of the calls in this city, another ambulance service is handling because we cannot cover those,” Locke said.
To keep up with the demand, the department will be creating six more positions in the coming months. In addition, the city has agreed to staff a second ambulance, starting in January 2024.
For now, Locke said being at full staff is a great help.
“Seeing so many fresh faces and so many people happy to be doing this job, which really is the best job in the world,” Locke said.
Plus, when it comes to a career or volunteer position, Skaza said being a firefighter is a great way to give back to the community.
“It’s a great way to be a part of something that’s bigger than just an individual,” Skaza said. “There’s a great deal of comradery that comes with joining the Fire Service, so it’s really a satisfying endeavor.”
Open firefighter positions across the country can be found through a ZIP code search here.
For career positions specific to Vermont, a list of open jobs can be found here.
Additionally, you can call your local department as well for their specific needs.
