Careers & Education

Arlington County, VA, Engine Company Browned out Due to Staffing

Oct. 22, 2024

It was the first time in 22 years that a station was shuttered due to lack of firefighters, Union Vice President Dustin Drumm said.

Susan Nicol

One of the busiest engine companies in Arlington County was shut down over the weekend due to lack of staffing.

Arlington County Firefighter Dustin Drumm woke up to bad news.

"We did not have enough people to staff that fire truck," Union Vice President President Dustin Drumm told WUSA9.

"If the 911 call comes out nowt, here'll be other units that will cover that. But there's a delay in that process."

Currently, the county is short 35 firefighters and Drumm says those remaining crews are overworked and underpaid.

"I've been with Arlington for 22 years now and this is the first time ever in my career that this is happening, and I honestly believe that this is just the beginning of it and it will continue to happen," he said.

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.