Fire chief outlines recruit class, staffing increases and delivery of new ladder truck

The Carol County fire chief told the council on June 3 that the department will begin a recruit class in early July and is bringing on six new positions to raise minimum staffing across shifts.

The chief said the department’s 2025 annual report showed an 8% increase in run volume over the previous year and a 13% increase over two years, a trend he attributed to population growth and expanded call volume. Adding six new hires means station 72 will staff five personnel (three on the engine, two on the medic) on each shift.

The chief also said the department recently hired a training chief who has begun running warehouse and house trainings. Because of trees and site constraints at a training property, staff plan to use non‑destructive training there and will not conduct live burns.

The department took delivery of a new ladder truck to replace a 1998 platform. The chief said crews will spend about four weeks on training and fit-out before placing the truck into service and plan a public “push” ceremony when it is ready.

The chief answered council questions about inter‑agency training and explained staff are coordinating with other departments to possibly run joint recruit classes.

The council did not take any formal action on the report; it was presented for information and staff follow-up.