BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (WCTV) - Bainbridge Public Safety’s (BPS) dual department is raising concerns amongst residents for community safety and treatment of first responders, who say they are feeling burnt out and frustrated.

BPS’s operation as a dual department means first responders are trained and actively respond to both fire and police calls.

“It’s strenuous, it’s hot, it’s very weighing on your body. So, you go fight a house fire for 1.5-2 hours you are give out, well somebody is robbing a bank down the road, you’re having to go get out of all that fire gear, put your bullet proof vest back on go fight this guy, it’s very dangerous.” Colby Swicord said.

Some first responders with BPS say they have been feeling disappointed, unappreciated and underpaid. Some of the employees are making $22 an hour.

In the last few months, the public safety department lost eight employees, but even with less manpower, the duties to serve the community remain.

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However, former employees are speaking out, demanding better treatment from leaders.

“There’s frustration. You’ve had an investigator leave three weeks ago. You’ve had people leaving,” Colby Swicord, a former BPS firefighter, said.

City Councilwoman Marquita Harris said they hear the concerns and want to help, but said the city is divided on the best way to address the issues.

“I, as well as Mayor Sylvia Washington feel as though this is something that needs to be addressed immediately, whereas some other city council members as well as our city manager feel as though we should wait for a study.”

Harris mentioned that she wants to make sure the safety of the community and first responders comes first.

“Immediately addressing pay, our retention and recruitment efforts, our retirement plan. I understand that it’s going to take time for us to dissipate the dual requirement, but I do think that that needs to be addressed in the near future as well,” she said.

“That they are taken care of including mental and physical and emotional health.”

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