CLARK COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Like many fire departments across the nation, the Winchester Fire Department is experiencing staffing problems.
Ethan Brogli is a member of Winchester Professional Firefighters, and he says the city of Winchester is so short-staffed right now they had to put one of their engines temporarily out of operation.
"On shift today, I think we have 12, that's 12 employees not 12 firemen, that's well below the National Fire Protection Agencies recommendation," said Brogli.
Engine Number 3, was moved to their downtown station, where it will be out of operation for the time being. This is the first time since the 70's Winchester has put a truck out of commission due to a staffing shortage.
Brogli tells me this engine is worth over a million dollars so he believes this is a huge waste of resources, and is hoping to meet with the city to figure out a retention and recruitment plan to make sure this never happens again.
Brogli says being this short staffed is a not only a safety issue for the employees but for the community if an emergency were to happen.
