JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Jackson’s interim fire chief said his long-term goal is to make sure each fire truck has four fighters on it.

The Jackson Fire Department (JFD) is asking Mayor John Horhn for a budget increase to purchase new equipment.

“We’re looking to add in this year’s budget update, our jaws, all of our extrication equipment. Looking to update that. We’re looking to add more innovative technology to assist us in our firefighting efforts,” said interim Fire Chief Rasean Thomas.

He also wants to add four fire trucks: two engines, one rescue truck and one ladder truck.

“Our basic is going to run you anywhere from $1.1 to $1.5 million and a ladder truck, which is the big one with the ladder on top of it. It’s going to cost every bit of $2 million,” Thomas said.

He’s calling for more firefighters, and Horhn said he’s on board.

“I don’t know what number Chief Thomas has in his head as to what makes sense for us to get to. But I do know that we need more firemen than we have right now,” the mayor said.

Thomas said there are about 240 firefighters in the department as of July 2025, but that’s not enough. His vision is to have at least 350 and more as the city grows.

“We have a mayor that understands public safety is a necessity and that is something that this city, in my opinion, has not had,” the interim fire chief said.

Thomas said having around 350 firefighters will give him about four firefighters on each truck and each shift.