[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6239148,"mediaKeyId","3338706-53121b9d6efdf41947966e8b25b9d915","parentId",3338706,"title","Commissioners outline station upgrades, radio replacement and headquarters study in FY26 capital briefing","audioSeconds",1938,"startMs",1363000,"endMs",3301000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3338706-53121b9d6efdf41947966e8b25b9d915&start=1363&end=3301","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3338706-53121b9d6efdf41947966e8b25b9d915/thumbnail_1363000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6239148/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Commissioners-outline-station-upgrades-radio-replacement-and-headquarters-study-in-FY26-capital-briefing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239148-36d9d1430497e26674046cac4ad16192/orig.mp4?Expires=1770334683&Signature=Ob3a3yXtYc7DjkHkQPrErT8Ejqgd5IhRhtcZrDxwob2FyLMHIBsktMcdMTAkOjmGd9P9h4-7HHxVapRYr-2Am8SvCw-e96yMQ92af1ackrnn05onI1rZ8-qgvL30o7W0ZwwWN9C7w~kNDUasv1fDQLY-osrEl0~jlfpCuls1nE0GVqWZIhGiMCJkAt4Nj9G3uXS-uCl~CsGqIEWSbyMRetexdfsN9CYeDEg69HRWcAGu8xpb9oKktJFaAJABVw~~~4BCljC9cUKpkv4ZYe4YkvJzm2fqD4fME-0eeszV2HCfQ9r84fOGW2lPk-NdY9iCvGVUMVkGqsxeCpxaozSbpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boston City, MA","date","2025-05-16T13:04:25.767Z","article","Boston Fire Department officials told the City Council Committee on Ways and Means on May 13 that the FY26 capital submissions include radio system upgrades, station repairs and design work for several new or renovated firehouses.

Deputy Commissioner Kevin Coyne said the department is partnering with other public‑safety agencies on a citywide radio system upgrade to modernize shared communications infrastructure. “This is the entire radio system that all of the public safety agencies within Boston use,” Coyne said, describing equipment and site upgrades to maintain redundancy and coverage.

Staff described structural and engine repairs planned for several stations (Engine 9 and 21 mentioned specifically), an ongoing design for Engine 3 in the South End and a design process underway for a South Boston waterfront facility tied to a developer pre‑filing under Article 80. Coyne also referenced ongoing capital work at Moon Island, where seawall repairs and related work are in progress.

Councilors asked about deferred maintenance and whether any stations had required temporary closure; the department said there have been no closures but that many stations are old and in need of periodic structural, HVAC and energy‑management upgrades. Leaders said they are pursuing a mix of capital and operating fixes and had requested HVAC and energy‑management funding to reduce long‑term costs.

The committee did not take formal votes on capital items at the hearing; councilors asked for follow‑up on project timelines and for the department to provide updates on design and procurement schedules.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ways & Means FY26 Budget: Boston Fire Department on May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Department leaders described ongoing and planned capital projects including radio system upgrades, station structural repairs, the Engine 3 design, Moon Island seawall work and an architect’s headquarters proposal.","taxTitle","Boston City, Suffolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",3381,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6239153,"Boston Fire Department to add three new marine vessels, department says investment totals about $12 million",153,1042000,1195000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3338706-53121b9d6efdf41947966e8b25b9d915&start=1042&end=1195","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3338706-53121b9d6efdf41947966e8b25b9d915/thumbnail_1042000.jpg","/articles/6239153/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Boston-Fire-Department-to-add-three-new-marine-vessels-department-says-investment-totals-about-12-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239153-c274c8e7651917e17b970b06f89025a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770334683&Signature=O9fSlNxK9GF6DFE6wvLUm7WUeZNMV69-qslym-G0y8qdgjNDOhZMgSzh-JZsOvTh6TBb-vufBtj-RyXPtaImihNwxc3NYP3tP3Xkhv16VOVirO~lU9T3Uu650I2LpdU1mHiahOeW7LVgFZA5mOxOHTF46XHbINkr~UX3Byx9sJ5IcxHq5LF59YtBILCb6s4Jyhwx1XjY1z9xNmRI89dVHbPPymG9grty-3XLvO5NELH5rt7VQSGzjrHRnUJLhrak8an-pwimE95GFcs99fBkgYpTUle~ta4aIMnEZO44UPEwhdhU6CSxh-E6XA0uAXAbP0rZ7QEBRIaeDmZawizczA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boston Fire Department leaders told the City Council Committee on Ways and Means on May 13 that the department has procured three new marine vessels and expects staged deliveries and outfit work through the fall.

Kevin Coyne, the department’s deputy commissioner for administration and finance, described the first delivered craft as a 46‑foot custom dive boat that replaced a 30‑foot predecessor and is undergoing training and final outfitting while stored at a rented UMass Boston facility. Coyne said a second 38‑foot boat is expected in July or August and a 69‑foot vessel is slated for delivery in late September or October; the department estimates the total investment for the three boats at about $12,000,000.

Coyne added that the dive boat replaces a vessel named for Captain John Kenny, a former member of the department’s dive team, and that the new vessels reflect updated marine firefighting and rescue capabilities. Councilors asked how staffing and maintenance would scale with the new fleet; department leaders said they are proposing a marine engineer position to maintain the more complex vessels alongside existing maintenance staff.

The committee did not take formal action; the line items for marine unit purchasing were presented as part of the FY26 lease‑purchase and capital planning discussion.","Officials told the City Council committee that the department will receive three new boats — a 46‑foot dive boat, a 38‑foot shallow‑water craft and a 69‑foot vessel — with staged delivery through September and outfitting thereafter.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6239158,"Boston Fire Department highlights cancer screenings, EAP and fitness programs in wellness update",110,1828000,1938000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3338706-53121b9d6efdf41947966e8b25b9d915&start=1828&end=1938","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3338706-53121b9d6efdf41947966e8b25b9d915/thumbnail_1828000.jpg","/articles/6239158/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Boston-Fire-Department-highlights-cancer-screenings-EAP-and-fitness-programs-in-wellness-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239158-b85408ca4725250e125f95e9357bf14e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770334683&Signature=lnfdFoecLpwX0xuTqKLNwMM75nTZMIINO7uLR4N27QWGkA04TRPxm819CzzRxUB3ZsUUZ6pyJnK4CtePbzTT~KcgPQkThaQ~1v8h6dGblyb5K-ZUPX0aV7Pc3r-Qu5ev8JdOFukbQRLtBo33Pc~HTrStGs-Bn13RaC5sFLci~A5BxAmv~Bcl-nkYz190xqKLt9xCXY9FEjhmJbBwTLu3-4mvltmIkoMrz5QnJo3St1y~~vL79blor9z~BNMUhO-o9upuzm4ZHGuJtV3gSI5NiPoF8LbbxCP~0QIMMn~fcVCjezJXlqjTPH4q7jdr2nA9cRxDRXFg-57Us-BJwEdn-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boston Fire Department leaders told the Ways and Means Committee on May 13 that health, safety and wellness programs — a mix of grant‑funded and operating items — are central to firefighter support and retention.

Deputy Commissioner Kevin Coyne summarized recent wellness activity, saying a grant‑funded program enabled the department to “provide cancer cancer screenings, blood work, full body scans for I think we did over 400 firefighters.” He described the screening work as part of a broader safety, health and wellness line in the department’s budget and said some services are funded through federal grants.

Panelists described multiple wellness elements tied to the department’s training and cadet pipelines: fitness trainers, dietician services tied to grants, employee assistance program (EAP) counseling, and peer‑support and critical incident stress management teams that respond after major incidents. Michael Gaskins, discussing cadets, said the cadet curriculum “includes assistance with the EAP program. They're directly connected to them.”

Councilors raised concerns about long‑term health impacts on firefighters and family exposure to contaminants. Commissioner Paul Burke and other leaders described precautions and facility investments — including new washer systems and policies to isolate contaminated gear — intended to reduce carcinogen exposure on turnout gear and limit take‑home contamination, while acknowledging that hazards vary by incident.

The committee heard no formal policy change; councilors sought additional budget detail on the department’s operating line for safety, health and wellness and pressed for confirmation that mental‑health services are funded in the operating budget as well as by grants.","Department leaders told councilors they used grant funding to provide body scans and preventive care to firefighters, and that wellness and mental‑health services are embedded in cadet and employee programs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6239163,"Boston Fire cadet pipeline brings record number of women to recruit class, department says",3434,986000,4420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3338706-53121b9d6efdf41947966e8b25b9d915&start=986&end=4420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3338706-53121b9d6efdf41947966e8b25b9d915/thumbnail_986000.jpg","/articles/6239163/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Boston-Fire-cadet-pipeline-brings-record-number-of-women-to-recruit-class-department-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239163-83e71b5a9a078842f2e842fbf09594b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770334683&Signature=iiIylbuY0zcwLueij2aGIEt3gs0oZ3avC1iQsdbO7AD6VZQbFDfAAI~H3ICpCRW5lxNwVVtZtdDk6IBAAYvRgbEGVX6pepB~g8xYxv8ktzWKjUICct6sUElIFehfe2TuQ8MLVgt~faHuT6QvHZb7FEkSPly0UUKsfOhGe~g0xeabMAhbPo5vpJwIpFkDq6eSFpny7t9zHSTdOGYe2-4e0eje9tqlNEw3m5Fg0u64NVpUB9QaB32XZN9HCfjheVZL8Mlgl79o7h~BDRozhWuylF~9-mhGXX3M69laBvQMY-~yUsXq5zcbOhCrKLFCyPprWMx3FnZXnO8YhLxHL5Kc5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Boston Fire Department told the City Council Committee on Ways and Means on May 13 that it is expanding recruitment efforts and youth pipelines and that the most recent recruit class includes a record number of women.

Michael Gaskins, recruitment officer for the Boston Fire Department, told the committee that “in April, we had our first set of cadets, we referred to them as alpha cadets, enter into the academy class. 22 of the 23 cadets in the class add, again, value diversity and representation from Boston neighborhoods,” and he added that the class includes eight women, the most ever in a Boston recruit class.

Panelists described the cadet program as a multi‑year pipeline that prepares local candidates for the fire academy and said it includes fitness and wellness training, EAP orientation and other preparatory work. Councilors pressed department staff about residency and civil‑service rules and a newly available “hybrid” pathway under state law; department leaders said the hybrid pathway is under review and could be used for future classes but would require coordination with civil service and city offices.

Councilors and department staff also discussed outreach to Boston Public Schools, job fairs and community centers as part of recruitment. Michael Gaskins said cadet classes are intended to widen the pool of local applicants and prepare candidates for the physical and technical demands of the academy.

The committee did not take formal action on recruitment policy; councilors asked department leaders to provide additional data on demographics, retention and ranks.","The department presented its cadet program and recruitment pipeline at the May 13 Ways and Means hearing, highlighting a record eight women in the current recruit class and outreach to Boston neighborhoods.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6239168,"Boston Fire Department proposes modest FY26 budget increase as 85 SAFER-funded firefighters move to city payroll",393,44000,437000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3338706-53121b9d6efdf41947966e8b25b9d915&start=44&end=437","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3338706-53121b9d6efdf41947966e8b25b9d915/thumbnail_44000.jpg","/articles/6239168/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Boston-Fire-Department-proposes-modest-FY26-budget-increase-as-85-SAFER-funded-firefighters-move-to-city-payroll","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239168-f45a20462cd24929b5bf3876aba55265/orig.mp4?Expires=1770334683&Signature=bkp99Zo61Kh4eSG-L2EAef7sOyU3A3kG3MWP9qorvYLn25EDsbfnADFPexIEKA1M7RIE5JlEe2C2C5F0Ob3pU5zYgsnVZS6avUnZfEaHGByLGLq5I~Qra5TaR3NHMwlRHwwJXqXT6dKctgmRVCFr0Ji0HyFAEpkkRPuN-HRgO87Mq38wiTGMlz9lDhFPzdR7MgVw6AdO5YQDQq4Hkd3ws8veTA5Krl3SPCFIok-Nv2v7CQVpub-sY2EQa~K07tqpkkE~eymy-SIl8wQAnGtVFMw-LCnmNUgDayoqGSIlcQVV4exZOlfUrC6GHNnCfSEgvZ93qWvoO7j3bJssYHI4DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boston Fire Department leaders told the Boston City Council Committee on Ways and Means on May 13 that the department’s FY26 operating budget packet recommends $310,600,767, an increase over FY25 primarily tied to collective bargaining and the transfer of 85 grant-funded firefighters to the city payroll.

The increase matters because it shifts recurring personnel costs into the city operating budget and leaves less one-time funding for nonpersonnel needs. Deputy Commissioner for Administration and Finance Kevin Coyne said the overall increase in salaries is related to labor agreements and the post‑grant absorption of positions.

Kevin Coyne, deputy commissioner for administration and finance, told councilors the recommended FY26 total “represents a 1.31 overall increase in salaries and most of that increase is directly related to collective bargaining agreements.” Coyne also said 85 firefighters who had been paid through a FEMA SAFER grant transitioned to the city payroll effective April 1 after the grant expired in March.

Coyne walked the committee through line‑item shifts in the department’s submission, noting reductions in supplies and contracted services and increases tied to debt service for lease‑purchase agreements and added lease space for a special operations command center on Rivermore Street. “We anticipate that we're on track to spend almost everything that is listed as available,” he said when discussing FY25 spending through March 31.

Panelists told the committee the department expects to use about $1.7 million in lease‑purchase funding for apparatus replacement and identified two targeted units for this cycle: a lighting unit (about $500,000) and a specialty hazmat unit. Council members pressed staff on whether cuts in some lines — including a $619,000 reduction in supplies and a roughly $193,000 decrease in contracted services — would affect operations; Coyne said the department is prepared to absorb decreases but that the implications will become clearer as the fiscal year closes.

The presentation did not include votes or formal actions; the hearing was a committee budget review and information session. The council will continue budget hearings through June and take additional testimony, both in‑person and virtually, before finalizing recommendations.","At a May 13 hearing, Boston Fire Department leaders told the City Council Committee on Ways and Means that the FY26 budget they submitted recommends a $4 million increase, driven mainly by collective bargaining raises and the absorption of 85 positions previously funded by a SAFER grant.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners outline station upgrades, radio replacement and headquarters study in FY26 capital briefing

Boston Fire Department to add three new marine vessels, department says investment totals about $12 million

Boston Fire Department highlights cancer screenings, EAP and fitness programs in wellness update

Boston Fire cadet pipeline brings record number of women to recruit class, department says

Boston Fire Department proposes modest FY26 budget increase as 85 SAFER-funded firefighters move to city payroll