Houston County fire stations to receive round-the-clock coverage after new hires

Houston County fire stations will now be staffed around the clock thanks to nine new firefighter positions approved by commissioners.

HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –  Houston County Commissioners recently approved the hiring of nine new firefighters. This will allow eight Houston County fire stations to be staffed around the clock.

Houston County fire Chief Chris Stoner says the population has increased in Houston County over the years, and the number of calls has picked up.

Chief Stoner says this will allow the fire stations to produce faster response times, decrease stress on other stations, and lower in homeowners insurance rates.  

“Over the years, our call volume has increased as the population of Houston County has increased,” Stoner said. “With that so has the number of multiple calls going out at the same time.”

With Houston County’s additional 24/7 coverage fire, Chief Stoner says this will allow for all eight Houston County fire stations to be staffed around the clock.

“With stations being staffed only by volunteers, that can add added minutes, 10-15 minutes to the response,” he said. “So, by staffing all the stations 24/7, now that secondary station can get into that other area quicker.”

Stoner says previous staffing situations led to response times that were too long.

“Especially those three stations that were only covered Monday through Friday 8-5,” he said. “When a fire call goes out under volunteer staffing, that volunteer has to receive the call, leave wherever they’re at, whether it’s a restaurant, home, or even driving down the road, respond to the fire station, pick up the truck and then go in route. That could still be five minutes, 10 minutes, and they’re doing the best they can to get there.”

With more staffing, citizens can look forward to a decrease in homeowner’s rates. 

“We were able to decrease to a three even with the staffing levels we had,” he said. “What they means is we were excelling in every category we possibly could with the exception of staffing.”

Houston County station 5 firefighter Micha Story says getting more help will allow all of them to do their jobs effectively.

“We currently have three stations that are Monday Friday 8-5,” Story said. “The additional personnel we’re hiring will fill in some spots we need, plus it will make every station 24/7, so we will have around the clock coverage Monday through Sunday.”

Both firemen explained how this will improve Houston County.

“It’s going to make it safer,” Stoner said. “We’ve got a tremendous staff already, adding these additional nine positions, it’s just going to excel what’s already a good product and service.”

“It’ll be a big help to the citizens,” Story said. “We’d like to thank the citizens and commissioners for allowing us and helping us get to this point in our continued growth.”

Chief Stoner says department hopes to be fully staffed by the end of the year.