Firefighter Positions Axed, Pumper Station Shut Down in Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith Fire Chief Darrell Clark said eliminating seven uniformed positions and closing one of the fire stations was one of the toughest decisions of his career.
Three driver positions, three firefighter positions, and one administrative battalion chief position were cut, 5 news reported.
"The only way to achieve the desired level of reductions was to reduce personnel. Before completing my first month as fire chief, I made one of the toughest decisions of my career, offering to eliminate seven uniform positions."
He said he had conversations with former Fort Smith fire chiefs before making his decision.
"One positive aspect to this reduction was keeping the three captain positions from Pumper 11, and moving them to our heavy rescue, Rescue 1," he said, adding that it was previously staffed with only a driver and firefighter.
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Susan Nicol
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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.