Chief Edmond presents budget needs for Provo Fire Department enhancements

The Provo City Council held a work meeting on March 25, 2025, focusing on the fire department's budget and operational needs. Fire Chief Edmond presented key accomplishments and ongoing challenges faced by the department, emphasizing the importance of adequate staffing and resources to ensure public safety.

Chief Edmond highlighted the success of the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) program, which has been active for three years and involves clearing brush and weeds in fire-prone areas. He noted that this initiative has received positive feedback from residents concerned about fire risks similar to those seen in larger cities like Los Angeles. The department also celebrated the opening of Station 1, which has improved response times during significant fire incidents.

The chief discussed the current staffing levels, revealing that Provo has 93 firefighters, significantly below the national standard of 150 for a city of its size. He indicated that while the department operates efficiently, additional personnel are necessary to meet response time standards set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The goal is to have 17 firefighters respond within four minutes of an emergency call, a target that is often challenging to meet due to staffing shortages.

Plans for future expansion include the potential construction of a new fire station in the northwest area of the city, which is currently not included in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Chief Edmond stressed the need for this station to be part of a five-year plan to enhance coverage and response capabilities.

The meeting also addressed the training of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to paramedic level, which has become a pressing issue due to a shortage of qualified paramedics. Chief Edmond reported that the department has sent seven EMTs to paramedic school this year, with plans to send more in the future. The cost of training is approximately $11,000 per student, prompting discussions about retention strategies to ensure that trained personnel remain with the city.

Additional budget requests included funding for new automated CPR devices, replacement of aging automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), personal protective equipment (PPE) for firefighters, and upgrades to communication radios. Chief Edmond emphasized the critical nature of these items for maintaining operational readiness and ensuring the safety of both firefighters and the community.

The council members expressed their support for the fire department's initiatives and acknowledged the challenges posed by budget constraints. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further discuss funding options and prioritize public safety needs in the upcoming budget deliberations.