BIG SPRING, Texas — Fire departments are an essential piece to a city’s puzzle, but staff shortages continue to be an issue for many, including right in West Texas. The City of Big Spring has faced a decline in staff for about a year, and the need for more personnel is now considered to be dire.
18 is the number of open spots for the Big Spring Fire Department.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had the competition in the neighboring markets that we’ve had in the past – I mean it’s always been some, but it hasn’t been as drastic as it is now," said Jay Holt, fire chief for the Big Spring Fire Department.
That competition is both regional and beyond.
“It’s not just a Big Spring issue," Chief Holt said. "I’ve talked to fire chiefs all across the state and everybody is having staffing issues. I don’t know what the magic solution is – I don’t think there is a magic solution.”
The number of open spots is projected to grow to 30 by June, partly due to better paying jobs elsewhere.
The lack of staff has resulted in Fire Station 2 closing at 18th and Main, leaving just four stations in the city. Part of a statement from Chanley Delk, president of the Big Spring Professional Firefighters' Association reads, "...we are still barely covering the remaining 4 fire apparatus with 2 personnel which is 50% below a national safe staffing standard. "
Chief Holt said salary plays the biggest role in creating this challenge.
“Our city has been working on that," Chief Holt said. "They’ve given us some raises just here recently in the last couple of weeks, and they’re in the process of doing a salary study that should finish up here in the next month or so and they plan on doing some more corrections after that.”
Despite those efforts, other tax-base markets are much stronger like Midland and Reeves County.
“We’re closer; I’m not going to say we’re where we need to be because we’re absolutely not," Chief Holt said.
So, looking to the Permian Basin to fill vacant spots is an area of focus.
“We’re actively recruiting in the local high schools trying to get local applicants to apply here, and hopefully if we can get local guys they’ll want to stay here at home," Chief Holt said.
“We will hire you with no experience necessary and provide you all the training and education and provide you housing during that training and education," Chief Holt said.
Delk added in that statement that "the city has sent out RFP to bring in a private ambulance service which is not ideal for our citizens because nationally fire based EMS has faster response times over private EMS which increases survivability…the city states that this will only be temporary and we certainly hope that is the case."
As BSFD works to get more support, you can find more information on the hiring process by clicking here, and apply by clicking here.
“At this point we’re open to all options," Chief Holt said.
For the City of Big Spring's website, click here.
Delk's full statement is below:
"The Big Spring Firefighters would like our citizens to be aware that we are still dealing with tremendous staffing shortages. Currently we are down 18 and projected to be down by 30 by June with FFs leaving for better paying jobs in Wolforth FD and Reeves ESD, plus retirements and Military leave.
We have switched to a 4 Station Model by closing Fire Station 2 at 18th and Main. Even with the closure we are still barely covering the remaining 4 fire apparatus with 2 personnel which is 50% below a national safe staffing standard.
The city has sent out RFP to bring in a private ambulance service which is not ideal for our citizens because nationally fire based EMS has faster response times over private EMS which increases survivability. The push statewide is for fire based EMS with cities like Fort Worth announcing last week that they would begin the process of taking over EMS response for their city. The city states that this will only be temporary and we certainly hope that is the case. " - Chanley Delk, president of the Big Spring Professional Firefighters' Association