PETERSBURG, Va. – When Wayne Hoover was sworn in as the new interim chief of the Petersburg Fire Department on Monday, CBS 6 lead reporter Wayne Covil was the only media member in attendance to ask Hoover questions about the direction of the department.
“My ultimate goal is probably to get back to full staffing levels as quickly as possible to make sure we’re ready to go any day, any hour,” Hoover said of the department he’d be heading. “This organization has some very, very dedicated men and women.”
Hoover began his career as a firefighter in Petersburg in 1989.
Watch: After staff shortage, things are looking up, according to firefighters in Petersburg
After a shortage of staff, things are looking up, according to firefighters in Petersburg
A few years later, a job change took him to Colonial Heights, where he was promoted to chief in May 2020.
Petersburg is known as a champion of the fire department, and the opportunity to help him arose shortly after his retirement from Colonial Heights in July.
““I’m not a fire chief who just sits in the office,” he said. “You’ll see me out in the field a lot. I want to get to know everyone.”
In addition to staffing, Petersburg firefighters also need better equipment, Hoover said.
“Ultimately, the most important thing is that we get the trucks on the road and get the right people to the right place,” he said.
The chief said the department plans to be more active on social media to show the public the positive impact firefighters can have.
CBS 6 wants to share the community’s voices on this important issue. Email your thoughts to the CBS 6 Newsroom.
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