Bessemer City is hiring full-time firefighters for the first time, part of a broader plan that has expanded the fire department to accommodate the greater need for fire service in the community.

"It's very exciting," Bessemer City Manager Josh Ross said. "Up until the 22/23 fiscal year, we had a mixture of volunteer and part-time staff. This fiscal year, we transitioned to adding three full-time fire positions … It really has been an effort to transition our department to a more full service department."

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