Gibson County hires full-time firefighters
GIBSON COUNTY, Tenn. – Thanks to a $300,000 grant, a West Tennessee fire department manned by hundreds of selfless volunteers can no longer say it’s strictly volunteer.
In eight hour shifts, 7 days a week, firefighters are taking Gibson County by storm.
“It doesn’t matter if I’m sick or if I don’t feel good, I love getting up and going to work,” firefighter Cindy Shanklin said. “There is not a funner job in the world than being a full-time firefighter.”
For the first time in West Tennessee, a volunteer fire department is paying firefighters as part of a 2-year grant from the state.
“It isn’t about the pay,” firefighter Gage Luter said. “It’s caring about the community that you live in.”
Although the county has more than 150 volunteers, most are not available during the day.
“Between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. we’re very short handed,” Gibson County Fire Chief Bryan Cathey said. “So with the full-time people our numbers go up and it makes it safer us to do our job.”
The two teams of full time firefighters spend their days not only responding and training for emergencies but also keeping up with equipment so they are ready for their next call.
“We had to choose between maintenance of equipment or training,” Chief Cathey said. “So this way they can now do all that maintenance during the day.”
The seven men and one women all share a love for their community and each other.
“One of the most important things about this job, you have to care for others,” Luter said. “Because you have to count on them in case you get in a dangerous situation.”
For a department that has had more calls this year than ever before this new program could not have come at a better time.
“I’m proud to be apart of this,” Shanklin said. “I really hope it continues on long after I’m gone because it really benefits everyone.”
Chief Cathey said they have applied for a new grant that, if approved, will allow the full-time program to continue for another five years after the first grant runs out in 2017.
