Craig Daily Press

Craig — Nearer and nearer, but still far away.

Craig Fire/Rescue has had some success this year attracting new recruits, more so by the middle of July than any other year in recent memory, Training Officer Samantha Johnston said.

And yet, the department still isn’t close to its mark.

With nine applications in hand, officials would like a number closer to 40.

“We haven’t even scratched the surface as far as what we want to do with the recruitment campaign,” Captain Dennis Jones said. “At the same time, though, we haven’t really gotten too heavy into the campaign.”

The fire department has hit a rough recruitment stretch for the past few years, officials said. Although the need for additional staff is not immediate, it’s getting close.

Without additional recruits, the fire department would eventually have to consider reorganizing to hire full-time firefighters, which would require more money from the city and voters.

Fire department officials contend they do not want to ask for more money, but without enough firefighters to handle calls 24 hours a day, the alternative is much worse.

Johnston once described that as the fire department having to fall back to a “defensive” force, one that would have to focus more in containing fires than fighting them.

It would be too dangerous for a small firefighter crew to try and battle a huge blaze, she said.

That reality already is somewhat true, Johnston said, citing the Country Mall fire in November.

So, the fire department is changing gears and looking for ways to recruit a new generation.

Jones commended Johnston’s work in that regard.

“She has great ideas, and I think our new campaign will really help,” he said.

The fire department is a part of the community, not an isolated clique, Johnston said, and so firefighters will be out and about this summer and fall for residents to speak with and ask questions.

Today and Sunday, fire department representatives will be at City Market to speak with people about recruitment and sell tickets to the Second Annual Firefighter’s Ball and Luau scheduled for Aug. 16 at the OP Bar & Grill.

There will be music, dancing and food catered by OP, Johnston said, adding it won’t be as formal as the Firefighter’s Ball once held each winter.

Firefighters also plan to be at the Craig Centennial AirFest and the community barbecue July 19.

Johnston said there traditionally has been a perception in the community that the fire department is too big a commitment for most people.

That’s not necessarily true, she said.

“There’s definitely a long-standing reputation that the fire department is too big a time commitment and too big a commitment for people with families,” she said. “If someone even thinks they would be interested, we want to encourage them to call us or speak with a firefighter and talk about it. It’s not as gigantic as some would think.”

For more information or to request an application, call the fire station at 824-5914 or stop by its 409 Yampa Ave. location.

Fire department officials also would welcome questions. Call John­­ston at 846-1832, Jones at 629-5405 or Captain K.C. Hume at 629-9048.

Collin Smith can be reached at 875-1794 or cesmith@craigdailypress.com