The Wichita Falls Fire department is hoping to grow its ranks in the next few months following a decline in applicant numbers over the years.

Wichita Falls assistant Fire Chief Donald Hughes has been with the department since he was 19-years-old.

He has watched the number of applicants go from about 400 every year to 100.

More information about being a first responder and details on how to apply with the department can be found here.