1 week ago
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Minnesota has a firefighter shortage problem, and it could end up costing you more money. Fire chiefs across the state say they’re struggling to fill empty slots, whether it’s a full-time unit or a volunteer department.
It’s the shortage of volunteers that could end up sending you a bigger tax bill.
“I think we just have to get them to say yes, and then when they get here, we walk them through it slowly,” said Brady Hahn, chief of the Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department. “I think they feel like it’s going to be an overwhelming process. That’s not our goal.”
Hahn has been a volunteer firefighter for 25 years, chief for the last seven. He’s seen the drop in volunteers over the years.
“The numbers are falling off,” said Hahn.
Minnesota has the second highest number of volunteer firefighters in the country, with anywhere from 90% to 97% b...
