The Lansing Fire Department is recruiting firefighters with the help of state funding

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – The Lansing Fire Department plans to use millions of dollars in federal funding to fill some gaps in its department.

Many police, fire and rescue services are struggling with staff shortages.

The Lansing Fire Department is hoping to bring on new recruits after receiving a $4.3 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), called the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant becomes.

Lansing Fire Chief Brian Sturdivant says the department currently has 10 open positions for firefighters.

“We always have a cyclical process where we need new employees because the older employees leave due to the retirement date,” said Sturdivant.

Sturdivant says that following the pandemic, many public services nationally have taken a hit. While interest in public sector jobs has declined, the need for first responders has only increased.

“Our call volume has doubled, so we now respond to nearly 30,000 calls per year from six fire stations, and that puts a strain on our members,” Sturdivant said.

Sturdivant said the department is using that $4.3 million to hire 15 new firefighters. He says he can teach every applicant all the skills they need to succeed, but there’s one thing he can’t do

“How to be a good person is the core component we’re really looking for in these applicants and new hires. Are you a person with a good heart?” said Sturdivant.

State Fire Chief Kevin Sehlmeyer hopes to inspire a new generation of future firefighters. Give students the opportunity to think about a job in the public service at an early stage. During Fire Safety Month, Sehlmeyer traveled to school districts to read books and teach fire safety.

“I recruit third graders, so in nine years you can become a firefighter,” said Sehlmeyer. “I have them raise their hands and say, ‘Hey, everyone in the room can be a firefighter, and they can do this.’ It gets people thinking about it, looking at it as a career.”

We are taking a variety of approaches, from funding to early education, in the hope of having more firefighters on site to respond in the field.

The Lansing Fire Department needs to hire 25 firefighters. Interested parties can apply until November 1st.

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