The Mississippi National Guard is opening a recruiting office at the Vicksburg Fire Department’s Central Fire Station.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen gave the move its blessing at a Sept. 25 board meeting. Fire Chief Charles Atkins said the Guard will occupy an office area on the fire station’s ground floor, but added no date has been set when it will move into the spot.

Staff Sgt. Barry Barnett, who is the recruiter for this area, said the idea to use the Central Fire Station for recruiting developed during a conversation with Atkins.

“The reason for choosing it is the location,” Barnett said. “It’s next to the library, and everyone knows where the library is. I believe the fire department and the National Guard can both benefit, since the city has lowered the age to apply to the fire department to 18.”

Currently, the Guard’s local recruiting office is at the National Guard Readiness Center in Flowers off Interstate 20, which he said makes it difficult for potential recruits to reach his office.

“It’s a long way out, and you have to travel around the world to get there,” Barnett said. “The fire station is easier to get to, and I need a location where I can have access 24 hours a day. My job isn’t from 9 to 5. School lets out at 4 p.m. and parents may not get home until 6, so sometimes I can’t meet with people until 7:30.”

He said using the Vicksburg police station or putting an office at the Warren County Sheriff’s Department’s building were considered, but he was concerned some potential recruits might become intimidated by going into a law enforcement environment.

He said no decision has been made whether to make the office a permanent fixture at the fire station, adding, “we’ll stay there until the city kicks us out.”