By: Ray King
Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services Chief Shauwn Howell on Friday said his department is still actively recruiting new firefighters in an effort to get back to full strength.
Appearing on the Oldies 1013 morning show, Howell said there are currently 90 firefighters employed and his goal is to bring that number up to 100, the number previously authorized before a budget cut this year reduced the authorized strength to 90.
Morning show host Greg Horne told Howell that there have been rumors about station closings due to a lack of funds and other than the former station on Commerce Road, which was closed when firefighters moved to a new station at the Saracen Casino, have any other stations been closed.
Howell was also asked about new firetrucks that the city needs and asked if they had been ordered.
