The Putnam County Fire Department is looking to hire three new full-time firefighters.
Putnam County Fire Chief Jeff Hicks said the new positions were added after the county commission included them in the county’s fiscal year budget. Hicks said the three new firefighters will be placed at the Bangham Fire Station to make it a 24/7 station. Hicks said the Bangham Fire Station is currently manned by part-time firefighters and at times can be slowed to respond to emergencies in that area.
“On a good night, around emergency traffic, you are looking at 14 minutes probably to get ot that station or in that area of that station,” Hicks said. “And that’s just something that we have been working on for some time. We are trying to get responders to the victims, or fires, or these calls.”
Hicks said being able to hire three full-time positions will help the department not only attract firefighters but also keep the ones they have. Hicks said the goal is to eventually move the part-time firefighters from the Bangham Station to the Austin Bottom Station once it is completed.
“There’s a station between the main station there but we can get to that station fairly reasonably and on the other side of it, they would be able to get to it, plus get to Old Baxter Road fairly quickly. I think it would be a better service for the residents of Putnam County in the southern and western area.”
Hicks said he is taking applications for the next two weeks and would like to fill the positions as soon as possible. Hicks said applicants will participate in multiple tests, ranging from physical capabilities to an oral test. Hicks said he does have a type of firefighter he wants.
“You know, this job requires you to wear a lot of hats,” Hicks said. “You’ve got to be smart, Got to be a caring person, got to be a servant. Probably more so a servant than anything. This is a servant’s job. Being a firefighter, working in emergency services, or the rescue squad. So that’s the kind of qualities you look for, and obviously you look for training and gotta hire somebody you can work with.”
Hicks said a full-time firefighter is held to a higher standard compared to a volunteer firefighter. Hicks said full-time firefighters have to have training and certifications in order to meet the requirements for the job.
