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City of Struthers has firefighter shortage
By jeanne starmack
Struthers
City administrators said they have discussed how to handle a shortage of manpower in the Struthers Fire Department.
The Struthers Firemen’s Association sent a letter to administrators last month that stressed members’ concerns about the shortage, which they said makes firefighting “exhausting” and “dangerous.”
The department has eight full-time firefighters and 14 volunteers. It can have up to 30 volunteers, according to the city’s ordinances.
Fire Chief Gary Mudryk has said he did not have enough money for training and for turnout gear.
He said Monday, however, that there is some gear that can be used by new volunteers.
The main problem, he said, is lack of money for the training.
It will cost $420 per person, he said.
He said he hopes to have two new volunteers in the department by the end of the year.
One of them already has training, he said.
Mudryk, who became chief in 2011 after Harold Milligan retired, said he would like to see a complement of at least 25 volunteers.
The question of money, said Mayor Terry Stocker, will be addressed in the next several months before the city passes its final budget in March.
He said department heads will weigh in on budget needs beginning in January.