When it comes to staffing, fire departments in Skagit County are stretched thin. Some of those involved in municipal departments say the problem is twofold — there are not enough budgeted positions to meet demand, and it is increasingly difficult to fill the positions that do exist.
n 1996, the Mount Vernon Fire Department had a staff of 26 and received 1,863 calls for service — about 72 calls per firefighter position.
In 2021, the department had a staff of 48 and received 7,251 calls for service — or 151 calls per firefighter.
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