WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Earlier this year, a Wilson County commissioner said, “We’ve been gambling a long time," with regard to staffing first responders. Now, staffing is a concern being brought to light by the president of the Wilson County Firefighters Association as the county’s growth continues to put significant demand on emergency services.

All summer, the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency trained for various scenarios from swift water rescues to a train derailments. However, some Wilson County first responders are currently focusing their attention on staffing needs.   

“As Wilson County grows and as developments come in and all this other growth, we need to be able to have the staffing to be able to provide the highest level of care that our citizens and guests expect and we want to give,” said Colton Young, president of Wilson County Firefighters Association. 

According to Young, there are 11 Wilson County EMA stations, some of which only have two people operating the engines on a shift. However, he would like to see three people per engine. That's something he proposed to the Wilson County EMA Committee back in March, where a county commissioner agreed with the need for more staffing.  

“We’ve been gambling a long time...We should have three people on these trucks, if not four, and we should have had it 10 years ago,” said Jeremy Hobbs, county commissioner and Wilson County EMA fire chief. 

Young said he would like to hire 38 more people to feel adequately staffed across the county.  

"We want people to be able to take off and spend time with their family, as well. We have to have people that can fill in while they're gone, and if we have everybody at work that day, maybe we have four-man engines, which just adds more personnel to the scene," Young said. 

According to Young, surrounding communities -- such as Mt. Juliet and Lebanon -- already have at least three employees on their units. Meanwhile, the International Association of Fire Fighters is reportedly pushing for four people per vehicle.

“We're just asking for three because we just want to be able to have that one extra person who can hook a hydrant, who can help go in and drag someone out if need be,” Young said. 

While he knows this could be costly for taxpayers, Young said it could also be life-saving for victims and first responders.  

"We don’t want to raise any burden on anybody, but at the same time, when you call for emergency services, time matters," Young said. 

News 2's Kendall Ashman spoke with Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto, who said county commissioners are always proactive when it comes to emergency personnel and staffing. He added that the commissioners will continue to look at this matter during the budget season. 

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/wilson-county-firefighters-association-calls-for-more-staffing/