TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa firefighters said it is becoming extremely difficult to respond to the growing population and new housing across the city. Firefighters say this has been an ongoing issue for several years.

Fire officials produced a new Public Safety Master Plan back in 2019, but says nothing has changed since proposing new fire stations.

What You Need To Know

  • Tampa firefighters said that more buildings downtown require more resources

  • While one station can cover a large area, larger emergencies can quickly require outside help

  • The city council has an opportunity to review the issue in February

Nick Stocco is president of the Tampa Firefighters Local 754 and says all the new high rises being built pose a huge challenge to an already under-manned department.

“With an increase in workload..it increases their health risk," Stocco said.

He points out that one station can cover a huge area like in the downtown area where only a dozen firefighters are on duty at a time. He also says if there is a fire in a high rise, it could bring in additional units, however it would come at a price.

“The minimum staffing in the city is anywhere between 155 to 160. One incident like that would probably deplete a third if not a half of the city resources in the even there was an actual emergency,” Stocco said.

Fire officials will be addressing the city council in February and hope a plan to solve the lack of fire stations will be addressed.