During a recent government meeting, officials discussed staffing levels within the fire department, highlighting a growth of 22 authorized positions aimed at stabilizing the workforce. Currently, the department has 417 authorized positions, and while there is a request for three new firefighters and one custodian, the recommendation is to backfill these roles using overtime for the upcoming year.

The fire chief noted that the department had applied for a federal grant in October but was unsuccessful. However, they are eligible to apply for a second round of funding in 2025. The chief emphasized that the increasing demand for ambulance services, driven by an aging population and changes in legislation, is a significant factor in staffing needs.

Concerns were raised about the feasibility of filling vacancies with overtime without resorting to mandatory overtime, which could lead to employee burnout. The chief expressed uncertainty about the ability to fill these positions voluntarily, indicating that the department may have to implement a combination of voluntary and mandatory overtime to meet staffing requirements.

The discussion also touched on the historical context of staffing changes, with officials clarifying that the increase in positions reflects a filling of previously vacant roles rather than a net expansion of the workforce. Further discussions on these staffing challenges and potential solutions are expected to continue in future meetings.