For the first time since its founding in 1924, the South Zanesville Volunteer Fire Department will transition into a part-time paid staff.

South Zanesville Fire Chief Russ Taylor had two major goals upon assuming position as fire chief three years ago, his first goal was taking on EMS calls, which was accomplished in August with the addition of an ambulance. His second goal was to get his staff paid for their work.

The paid part-time staffing was approved unanimously, 6-0, by the South Zanesville Council during the October meeting.

Although Taylor’s two biggest goals are getting accomplished, that doesn’t mean applications will open up for his position.

“And no I’m not planning on retiring after I reach these two goals,” Taylor, who has been with the department since 1994, joked. “No negotiations for my job yet.”

With the staff being part-time, it will allow for two firefighters, with at least EMT-level licensing, to be at the South Zanesville Fire Department from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

The daytime hours are the most difficult time to staff the department with volunteers, Taylor said.

The paid staff will begin on Jan. 1, 2019.

Just in 2018, the South Zanesville Fire Department has taken 668 calls, Taylor said.

The minimum qualifications for the position include a EMT certification and a 120 firefighter certification, with the maximum qualifications including paramedic level certification and up to a 240 firefighter certification.

Applications will be accepted starting Nov. 1. Anyone interested in applying can visit the department’s website or stop in to the Village of South South Zanesville Municipal and Safety Building (24 E. Main St.) to pick-up an application.

Taylor plans to wrap-up the hiring process by Dec. 15 to get people started by Jan. 1.

Interested volunteers that currently work for the department will be considered for the positions first, but anyone qualified is welcome to apply.

Taylor said he’s working toward hiring paramedics as he would like to have a staffed paramedic as often as possible.

“Our goal is to have a paramedic on every shift and then fill in with EMTs,” Taylor said. “That’s a lofty goal to get, but everybody struggles to do that.”

There are 14 to 25 positions open. Taylor said it will take at least 14 people per week, minimum, to staff the part-time positions. He want to be able to give people two 12-hour shifts per week, but one shift per week is available, as well.

“If a paramedic wants to work a Monday and Friday every week, then we’ll set them up to work a Monday and a Friday every week,” Taylor said. “That way we’re guaranteed to have that covered.”

Current volunteers get $100 per year at the annual Christmas Party as a “Thank You” from the village for volunteering personal time. Starting in 2019, with going to part-time paid staff, volunteers that work during the nighttime hours (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.) will be compensated $10 per hour they are out on a call with a minimum of one hour pay.

Volunteering has almost become an outdated pastime. Taylor said that any organization struggles to get people to volunteer their time anymore due to the increased cost of living, schooling, transportation and other factors.

“It’s hard for people to donate their time now in order to justify to their families that, ‘Hey, I’m going to go spend 50 hours this week down at the fire department and go on calls in the middle of the night without any income,’” Taylor said. “It’s just kind of hard to justify it to your family.”

While paying staff part-time is a milestone for the department, Taylor doesn’t want to stop there. His ultimate goal is to be fully-paid all hours of the day. But, for now, he’s extremely grateful for the large step forward the department is taking.

“I just want to thank the citizens and taxpayers of our areas, Village of South Zanesville and Springfield Township, for their generous tax donations and super thanks to the village council and the mayor for letting us move forward into the future,” Taylor said.