(Columbus) The Columbus Fire Department is in excellent shape with their staffing. Fire Chief Scott Hazeltine says that 38 of the 40 positions are filled.
“I have three applications, maybe a fourth coming,” says Hazeltine. “So, we could possibly at full staff in a couple months again with a waiting list, which is a rarity in the fire service.”
Hazeltine says he has had departments across the state ask him to come and speak with them about how they maintain staff so well. The chief says that when it comes to setting up the culture, he believes in empowering the people.
“I empower my officers to do what their job description say,” Hazeltine says. “We listen to our members.”
Hazeltine says that he does not make all the decisions but sometimes he has to. Almost 90-percent of the time he signs off on them.
