Editor’s note: .COMments are comments pulled from The Sun’s Facebook page and website from readers pertaining to local issues, stories and other topics. Comments will be posted as written and are selected to try to reflect various viewpoints on the issues. The following are comments left on three Facebook posts regarding staffing shortages at city and county fire.

— Joan Lawson: “So until Winchester gets more in line with lexington salaries we will keep having these problems. It’s a shame that these guys an gals arent the highest paid workers in our community. They put there lives on the line everyday, every call. Police officers fall in this as well. When the pay difference is substantial what are you going to do? Your going for the money.”

— Syndy Hood Deese: “Low wages… not acceptable. Those in leadership that allowed this to happen need to explain why. The current tax structure is failing our city and county.”

— Skip Brewer: “Members of dual role departments have two fulltime jobs. One as a firefighter and one as a Medic/Emt. In towns with big budgets these are separate for obvious reasons and the pay is very competitive. Of course, there arent fires everyday in small towns but the fire/ems training is overwhelming anyways. The workload becomes tremendous in dual roles and the pay has to reflect that.”

— Kim Holmberg Osborne: “They would staff the way they are suppose to. There would less firefighters hurt. If they paid more than 9.00 an hour they would get more firefighters.”

—Erin Simpson: “Competitive wages are essential in today’s hiring market regardless of industry. Go back to the drawing board and look at your budgets – find the money to pay these government employees what is in line with your market. Furthermore, you will increase the amount of staff on schedule, reducing the mandatory OT and workers compensation charges hitting the city/county at high rates. You will attract the talent, retain and the issue you are faced with today will not become repetitive.”

— Angel Arvin: “They need more money!!! Most fast food restaurants and gas stations pay better than what our firefighters and EMT’s make.”

— Tabitha Ashbrook: “Bump up the pay! These people are saving lives! Give them the pay they deserve.”

—Becky Ford: “I think that’s because no one wants to run into a burning building for $9 an hour.”

— Inise Strange Hicks: “They are way under paid!! No amount of money is worth putting your life on the line day in day out! They need to be paid a decent wage.”