Firefighter recruits wanted in Cheshire

Cheshire, Conn. (WTNH) - Cheshire Fire Department is looking to beef up its numbers.

At fire headquarters there is a lot of equipment -- three engines, a rescue truck and an aerial ladder truck -- they want to make sure they have enough firefighters to work each piece of equipment.

Cheshire currently  has 110 volunteer firefighters, which is enough. But they are looking to get the numbers up to around 120 because every time they lose a firefighter, it's a big pair of boots to fill.

"It's like the tide, they come in and go out, said Captain Bill Herzman. "Right now we are doing pretty well with the after school program and it looks like we are going to be able to keep many of those kids because they are going to college locally."

In the past it was word of mouth in Cheshire. One person would tell another saying, "hey, why don't you become a firefighter" and the numbers would grow. But now the fire department will have to actively go out and recruit new firefighters.

"We're doing local billboards and we are doing some of the local public access and the fall festival, football games, and anything we can get our name out and be visible to the public," Captain Herzman explained.

News 8's Bob Wilson asked, "Why should someone what to be a firefighter?"

"It's rewarding. It's like a family," Firefighter Kyle Richard responded. "The guys will all be here for you 24/7, and when the bell goes off we are all a team and work hard to protect the town."

It takes six to eight months to train a new recruit to the point where they can go out and fight a fire, so the search is on.

If you are interested in becoming a Cheshire firefighter, click here .