We cannot afford to keep playing catchup Cincinnati Fire Departments staffing shortages continue

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Fire Department continues to face staffing challenges, as the interim fire chief outlined in front of a City Council committee Monday. During the pandemic, these challenges were exacerbated by firefighters getting sick and having to miss work in addition to the number of firefighters choosing to retire. Now, retirements continue to be a factor. “We still have a long way to go,” Interim Fire Chief Steve Breitfelder said. With two recruit classes in the last year, the department is working towards solving these staffing challenges, but the work isn’t over. Breitfelder told the Budget and Finance…