SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – The Hilltop Fire District is located off Asheville Highway and it’s been there since opening in 1957.
But with an aging facility that’s understaffed and a budget where 82% of it goes towards payroll, the Hilltop Fire District fire chief is asking voters to approve a budget increase.
“You know, it’s gotta happen. For us to keep moving forward we’re going to have to ask for more money,” said Donnie Millis, Hilltop’s Fire Chief.
Staffed by 32 volunteer and paid firefighters working in three-person per unit shifts 24-hours a day, the Hilltop Fire District is charged with protecting about 600 businesses and about 3,400 residents within a 2.2 square-mile area.
However, it’s responding to more calls than the manpower it has because of the mutual-aid box agreement it has with surrounding fire departments.
In 2023, Millis said they respond to anywhere between 1,000 to 1,200 calls a year.
“We do the best we can do with [the staff we have],” said Millis. However, Millis is currently forced to run three-person teams per fire engine, when the industry standard is four-person teams.