By James Combs
Lake County Office of Fire Rescue hires 19 firefighters
The Lake County Office of Fire Rescue hired 19 new firefighters, 15 of which were obtained with grant funds received from the Department of Homeland Security’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER).
The new positions represent a 10 percent increase in staffing and support the department’s multi-year strategic plan for staffing and vehicles.
“Our goal is to staff a minimum of three firefighters on every engine throughout our department within the next 5 to 10 years,” Lake County Fire Chief Jim Dickerson says in a press release. “It is certainly obtainable with this grant and with the tremendous support from our Board of County Commissioners.”
The grant also supports Fire Rescue’s efforts to reach the recommended standards set by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) that specify requirements for deploying fire suppression operations, emergency medical operations and special operations to protect residents.
The 19 new firefighters will complete a six-week orientation before being placed on shift in the middle of March.
James Combs was a pillar of Akers Media Group since its inception in 2008. Over the years, he had the honor of interviewing Lake & Sumter County's most fascinating personalities, from innovative business owners to heroic war veterans, bringing their incredible stories to life. Throughout his career, James earned over 50 awards for writing excellence, a testament to his talent and dedication. In 2021, he was inducted into the Akers Media Group Hall of Fame. Sadly, James passed away in 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer. His legacy of storytelling and excellence continues to inspire us all.
