NATCHEZ — In Natchez, when a firefighter hangs up his hat, a new firefighter is usually right there to pick it up.

That is no longer the case at the Natchez Fire Department.

Turnover has plagued the department for the past several years, and NFD Operations Manager Conner Burns said the department has historically had enough new recruits to offset attrition due to retirement or firefighters leaving for other jobs.

Those other jobs are sometimes higher-paying firefighting positions at other area departments, Chief Aaron Wesley said.

“Sometimes it’s not even other fire departments, it’s just better-paying jobs somewhere else,” Wesley said.

The starting salary for a Natchez firefighter is $24,478, with firefighters on a step-raise program as they acquire training and move through the ranks.

The last raise for firefighters was several years ago, and Wesley said the low pay has hamstrung recruitment and firefighter retention.

Turnover is not as much of a problem with older firefighters, Wesley said, because many of them stay on because of the Public Employees Retirement System.

“But we’re losing a lot of young people,” Wesley said. “We have a lot of young firefighters leaving for other jobs that are just paying more. They are not always going to other fire departments, sometimes just jobs that pay better.”

The City of Natchez’s budgeting process for the 2016-2017 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, is currently under way.

Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell said he is unsure if the city’s budget can support a raise for firefighters and other emergency personnel.

Turnover is not only a problem at the fire department. Natchez Police Chief Daniel White has publicly echoed Wesley’s sentiments of losing recruits after training to higher-paying departments.

Grennell said he has asked City Attorney Robert “Bob” Latham to explore the legal soundness of possibly implementing a contract for firefighters in which they would be obligated to stay on following training for a certain period of time.

“I want to look at a policy where if they leave, they will have to pay us back what it costs us to train them,” Grennell said.

In the past 12 months, NFD has lost several firefighters and currently has 10 spots to fill.

The department has an upcoming test for new recruits and has generally had several sign up.

“We had 50 people in the room 10 years ago taking the test,” Burns said. “Now, we have 15 people taking the test. Often, what we get is half those people show up, and then half that many people pass and come onboard.”

A potential firefighter must be at least 18 years old and needs a high-school diploma or GED. The job-specific education and training is provided on the job, Burns said.

The testing process involves a written test, with the next test on Sept. 7, a physical agility test and an interview.

The department offers opportunities for advancement through the ranks of NFD.

Firefighters work 24-hour shifts and are off for 48 hours.

Because the department’s schedule allows for it, Burns said, many firefighters work other jobs on their days off from NFD.

The work of a firefighter is not limited to just putting out fires, Burns said.

Firefighters work with local businesses to ensure a safe business environment, handle hazard material emergencies, speak at local schools about fire safety and prevention.

“None of us want an emergency to occur, but all of us want to be there to help when that does occur,” Burns said. “It’s a rewarding job in that when people don’t now where to call, they call us to help.”

Anyone interested in applying for a position at the Natchez Fire Department should submit an application to the city’s Human Resources Office in the City Council Chambers at 115 S. Pearl St.