The Janesville Fire Department is hurting for new recruits.

Chief Jim Ponkaukas says there are a large number of people retiring while there just aren’t enough applicants to replace them.

Chief Jim Ponkaukas says the department normally have individuals that are coming in with prior training of some sort.

Ponkauskas many of the career departments pull staff from paid on call and volunteer fire departments, but because their numbers are down too, the Janesville Fire Department is spending more on training.