Starting March 26, two staff members will work an 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. shift daily, potentially saving $3,000 per year by doing the mowing, cleaning, restocking and reporting during down times. Previously, Anderson said that they had to pay for those services.  

“This would let us be certain that our calls are being covered during the time frame that most of our volunteers are working their 9 (a.m. to) 5 (p.m.) jobs,” Anderson wrote in a report to Sebring Village Council.

Anderson said the day-time shift is the most problematic time to get personnel on station to respond to emergencies, as that is the most common work time.

“We have a lot of people who have shift jobs, so they have time to do staffed hours (in their off-time). We have had a medic on shift every day so far and have been able to handle back-to-back and concurrent calls,” Anderson said.

"Requirements are 10 years after manufacture. Most of our turnout gear was manufactured in 2005. And rather than put Fire Department personnel in jeopardy, we chose to have them stand down," Selectmen Bruce Rozett said.  

The town's assistant fire chief discovered the outdated, noncompliant safety gear during a recent equipment check.