HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — For 23 years the Huntersville Fire Department has been made up of volunteers and part time workers, but now things are changing.
"I've seen a little decline in the amount of people that were coming in and wanted part time work," Jim Dotoli, the fire chief for the town of Huntersville, said. "In 2023 is that's when it really struck me, we're not getting the people or the firefighters that want part time work."
Dotoli said because less people are wanting to work a second job, it's leaving numerous shifts unfilled.
Now they’re looking at other options like turning six of their 18 part time positions into full time positions.
"When it comes to saving lives and property, you need to have the your maximum amount of people on those fire apparatus," Dotoli said.
He said right now they don’t have the ideal number of staffing on each fire truck and they’re pushing for more full-time staff, which would average about $600,000 a year.
"When you call 911, I want to make sure a fire truck shows up," Dotoli said.
Dotoli said full time workers would guarantee people are available, but since making the recommendation Huntersville town leaders have pushed back the decision on whether or not to approve the funding.
"It's a shame they put it on the back burner," Dotoli said.
Now fire officials are hoping to get the green light from new board members ahead of the new year.
Huntersville leaders are set to make a decision this December.
Contact Tradesha Woodard at twoodard1@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.