Macon-Bibb public safety leaders expect about 60 people to leave their force

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb public safety leaders are starting to feel the effects of the county’s new retirement incentives. Sheriff David Davis and Fire Chief Marvin Riggins said they’re expecting to each lose around 35 people in leadership positions.

Chief Riggins said eight people already had their last day at the fire department. On Wednesday morning, five more told him they were leaving. Sheriff Davis expects to replace most of his command staff. However, both department heads think they’ll make it through this transition period.

“We’re losing hundreds of years of experience, rather suddenly,” said Chief Riggins.

Chief Riggins and Sheriff Davis agree. This won’t be the smoothest transition.

“There’s some concern about the number of people leaving, the experience level that’s going to walk out the door,” said Sheriff Davis.

Both admit their forces will be considered “young” after the early retirement incentives take affect July 1st.

“We have challenges as far as staffing on a day to day basis just because it takes so long. It takes months for us to train new people at entry level to come in and fill void,” explained Chief Riggins.

But they’re focusing on the positives.

“It’ll be a little rough water right here, but I do see, once we get past it, we can really become more efficient,” said Sheriff Davis.

Even though the incentives are wiping out most of his command staff, Sheriff Davis sees it as an opportunity to restructure his department.

“When we merged, we really had an overlap of majors and captains so this will give us a chance to kind of widdle out those positions,” explained Sheriff Davis.

Chief Riggins believes his firefighters are prepared to step into empty leadership positions.

“They do different jobs, they play different roles. The familiarities with the varying functions are there,” explained Chief Riggins.

They both want to assure everyone public safety will not suffer.

“That is our primary job. I will let a command level position stay vacant for a while before I take someone off the road to where they need to answer the calls,” said Sheriff Davis.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to see the next generation come up and lead the way,” explained Chief Riggins.

Sheriff Davis is working on a reconstruction plan for his executive level staff. Chief Riggins is focusing on training entry level firefighters. He will graduate a class in July and have a new class starting on August 1st.