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If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

More than a familiar adage, it’s now the approach local Fire District 13 could well approach to solve manpower issues going forward.

The district has in recent months faced the loss of personnel to what Chief Wood Weiss calls “career departments” able to pay full salaries and benefits. In response, Fire District 13 is providing fuel stipends for commuting shift staff and is considering use of two-person rather than three-person crews.

That’s not all.

The district will budget for two new paid positions next year, part of plans to launch a co...