JACKSON, Wyo. — Jackson Hole Fire/EMS Chief Brady Hansen briefed the town council during “director updates” at this afternoon’s town council workshop.
Hansen shared that although volunteer recruitment and retention remain a long-term problem, 12 new volunteers will begin orientation in the coming weeks. The volunteers are dispersed across the six stations and will complete 18 months of training.
“There is representation from all six of our stations, that will be in this new class and they will be embarking on the next 18 months of pretty significant training to join our ranks.”
“If we bring on 12 [volunteers], I am certainly losing more than one [volunteer] a month over the course of a year, so that attrition is hard to keep up with.”
Battalion Chief and Fire Marshal Kathy Clay retired this May. Her position is in the midst of being filled, explained Hansen. He said it is down to two out-of-town candidates.
Clay’s husband, Hoback Fire Station Captain Mike Trumbower, is also set to retire in June. His position is vacant.
Hansen also noted an increase in call volumes, something he’s discussed with the Council a number of times.
According to Hansen, call volumes have increased 60 percent in the last four years and doubled in the last 10 years.
Hansen noted call volumes are tied to a number of things, including airport stats, Jackson Hole Mountain resort ticket sales, the increase in hotel rooms and overall density.
“In our industry, the closer people are together, the more congested a community, the more 911 calls per 1,000 people,” Hansen said. “Ambulance is the busiest part of what we are doing.”
The new Station 1 building was officially unveiled on May 4, built with SPET funding.
