Fire chief asks for training investment as recruitment and modernization pressures grow

Fire department leadership told the Budget & Finance Committee the department’s requested increase is focused on rebuilding and modernizing training, officer development and recruitment amid a national shortage of applicants.

“We wanted to introduce some money into that. So roughly 80 to a $100,000 increase in that world puts us at at 12%,” the fire chief said, explaining funds will support training and a new training captain and officer-development programs.

Nut graf: The chief described the request as a targeted investment to improve recruitment, retain personnel and develop new midlevel managers rather than an immediate headcount expansion. He said Fishers must plan for large-event staffing and specialized rescue capabilities as the community grows.

What the chief told the committee: the department has experienced leadership turnover and recruitment challenges that require a renewed training budget and officer-development curriculum. The chief said the department will continue outreach efforts, including statewide recruiting and partnerships with two-year programs, to reduce a typical eight-month vacancy cycle. He described the department as 159 personnel strong and said investment in training and leadership development is the priority for the coming budget cycle.

Equipment and special-rescue notes: the chief described specialized marine-search equipment, noting a quoted device that “can drop down 500 feet, total, grab a person off the ground and do it” and referred to sonar and boat equipment needs tied to increased use of the White River and other waterways.

Staffing: when questioned about hiring for 2026 the chief said the emphasis is on training and development rather than a major hiring push; incremental hires remain possible but will depend on city-wide personnel decisions. The chief acknowledged volunteers and alternative recruitment pipelines had been discussed but said volunteer programs would be complicated to reintroduce for a modern professional department.

Ending: the chief asked for continued committee support for training and equipment funding and noted the department will return with more detail as the budget is finalized.