Staffing issues continue at the Youngstown Fire Department as both fire fighters and inspectors are desperately needed.

Until the issue is resolved, the fire chief has to move fire fighters around to pick up the slack in the inspections department, but the fire union feels this causes an even bigger issue with keeping trucks and equipment open on a daily basis.

"I only have two people in inspection and for the size of our city that's unheard of," Fire Chief Barry Finley said.

Finley tells 21 News the inspector's job is just as, if not more important, than that of a firefighter because they make sure things like commercial buildings, schools and nursing homes are fire safe.

Having firefighters do the job instead, though is just not sitting right with the union. Jon Racco, the fire union president sent a statement to 21 News that reads in part:

"...further reducing our already low suppression staff is leading to increased truck closures and response times. The union has been vocal for quite some time that simply put, we just do not have adequate staffing in our department."

Finley tells 21 news his hands are tied and that's because of the union contract that states if an inspector is needed, a fire fighter must fill the role.

In part, the contract reads "...Inspectors may also be filled by the Fire Chief. If there are no applicants for... inspector... the fire chief will assign the least senior employee."

Finley says response times are not delayed and he's working to fill every spot.

"I would like to hire inspectors so that we won't have to worry about doing this ever again," Finley said. "I don't want these young guys in inspection, because I know they don't wanna be there," he said.

Finley tells 21 News he will be giving tests to bring more firefighters on in the spring and YFD will be testing for more inspectors soon.