Stockton Fire Department works to fill vacancies, as wage negotiations with union continue

As negotiations continue between the Stockton Fire Department and the firefighter's union for a new agreement, the department is working to fill more than a dozen open positions. Stockton Fire Chief Richard Edwards has 183 sworn positions in his department and said he is currently facing 14 vacancies. "We've had a fair share of resignations over the last 5 or 6 months," he told KCRA 3 on Monday. He said firefighters are having to work more hours in the meantime. He believes his department is "one of the busiest" in the United States.