Mount Vernon firefighters working with high call volume, low staffing

MOUNT VERNON, Ill. (KBSI) – Phones ringing off the hook at a local fire station but with record low staffing.

Mount Vernon’s professional firefighters announced their phones are ringing off the hook.

Even more concerning is their lack of personnel.

Calls are up more than 10 percent compared to previous years, making it the busiest year the station has ever seen.

At the same time, staffing levels are the lowest the department has faced in over two decades.

As of now, Mount Vernon has 25 full time firefighters with one interim chief.