Volunteer Firefighters Needed In Security
As a fire breaks out El Paso County,the Security Fire Department came rolling to the rescue.
“Since 1990, we have run one person per truck,” said Captain J.T. Marrs of the Security Fire Department.”As I pulled up, I set the park brake, primed the pump, got out. put it in pump gear, dragged my line, and broke the fence to get to the fire,” said Firefighter Zach Haslett of the Security Fire Department.
As the fire truck rolled to a stop, right outside the Haslett was the only person on the truck. “We train very hard every day to do what we do with single man crews. It’s what we’re stuck with,” said Captain Marrs of the Security Fire Department.
When a fire truck arrives at the scene of a fire, the lone firefighter inside can’t always do it himself. He often has to wait for help to arrive. “He is going to wait for another truck to show up, that has one guy on it as well,” said Captain Marrs.
Lives are at risk as they wait for support. One firefighter cannot save two victims at the same time. “I am going to go in and drag one person, and then I will go in and drag the next one.. That is sort of what wer’re stuck with,” said Firefighter Haslett.
With 9 firetrucks and only 14 firefighters, the department depends on volunteers for support. However, at this time the Security Fire Department only has 25 volunteers.
“In today’s economy, it’s been tough to have these guys show up on certain things. They can only show up for certain things.They can only go certain times of the day,” said Captain Marrs.
The manpower shortage has made it difficult for firefighters. They have had to resort to manpower to who resort to time management to make up for the lack of manpower.”We’ll risk a lot to save a life, but a life is worth a lot,” said Haslett.
The national average is 4 people on a truck. The Security Fire Department is hoping that their budget will raise enough for them to put 2 people on every truck.
The department is also looking for volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer fire firefighter, you can give them a call at (719) 392-7121
Or stop by one of the Fire Sub-stations in Security at:
1) 400 Security Boulevard 2) 7420 Metropolitan Street 3) 5119 Bradley Road
