San Diego Fire Department Faces Staffing Shortages Due to COVID-19

A staffing shortage due to COVID-19 has forced the San Diego Fire Rescue Department to make some changes at some fire stations.

Chief Colin Stowell told KOGO News some fire stations are being reduced in staff, but none is being closed. In an interview, Stowell says the public's safety is not being affected with fire units backing up in areas where they are needed.

The number of San Diego firefighters in isolation due to having COVID-19 or being exposed was at least 131 on Monday. Chief Stowell says it could be two weeks or more before the situation improves. saying it depends on the spread of the virus.

Last week, mounting coronavirus-related absences prompted department leaders to put together a brown-out plan that dictates the fire resources that would be idled if staffing shortages demanded it. Currently, about 15 percent of the city’s roughly 960 firefighters are in isolation.

LISTEN TO INTERVIEW BELOW.

(Photo reporting partner 10News)