Uninterrupted Sleep on Horizon for Hattiesburg, MS, Firefighters

Right now, an alert tone sounds in all nine stations, waking more than 40 Hattiesburg firefighters.

Sept. 3, 2025

Uninterrupted sleep will be coming soon to Hattiesburg firefighters.

When the new station alerting system is implemented, only firefighters due on the incident will be awaken.

Right now, a loud alert tone sounds at all nine fire stations waking more than 40 firefighters, WJTV reported.

“There’s some significant health issues that arise from sleep deprivation. And studies have shown that if you’re awake in more than three times a night and stay awake for more than 15 minutes, you will become sleep deprived. And that’s a real issue,” Assistant Fire Chief Chris Charr said.

The $97,000 system -- funded by Forrest County Emergency Management -- will be in all stations by the end of the year.

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.