Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Echo presented the Aurora Fire Departments proposed 2025 budget to the Finance Committee on Oct. 18, emphasizing investments in administration, training, equipment and station maintenance to respond to increased call volume and regulatory requirements.

Echo said the department seeks to restore a division chief of administration position eliminated during an earlier downturn; he said the role would help with succession planning and relieve a workload concentrated on support services. Echo described the department as handling a substantially higher call volume than in the past and noted that roughly half the department has less than five years of service, increasing training needs.

The department requested a $204,000 increase in training funding to support additional firefighters, paramedic schooling and new state-mandated re-certifications. Echo said the additional training budget covers paramedic schooling and cadet-program support. He also cited rising costs for turnout gear, which have doubled in recent years.

Equipment and maintenance requests included cardiac monitor batteries (Echo said the monitor batteries cost about $600 each and some CPR devices around $900), replacement water-rescue gear that is aging, and a replacement side-by-side EMS vehicle to improve accessibility and patient care at events. Echo said the existing vehicle has parts-availability issues and limited capability for patient care.

The department identified several station maintenance needs. Echo described Station 5 (built in 1990) as having worn turnout-gear lockers and floors that "have seen better days," and said replacement and resurfacing work was necessary. He also discussed exterior wood treatment and maintenance costs at newer stations and the trade-offs of original design choices.

A separate Fire Prevention Bureau presentation requested two full-time civilian inspectors and three prevention vehicles. The prevention presenter said the bureau and fire companies currently oversee about 10,000 inspections annually but have only three full-time inspectors; adding two civilian inspectors would move business inspections primarily to the bureau and free fire companies to focus on high-hazard preplanning and operations. The prevention team said certified inspectors are required for certain state-mandated tests and that increased inspection capacity could create fee revenue streams tied to required sprinkler and pump testing.

The prevention bureau also requested larger vehicles to carry outreach and training equipment for public events, and said existing smaller cars limit the ability to transport props, banners and educational materials.

Committee members asked about proportionality of training increases relative to current spending and whether grant opportunities and more energy-efficient vehicle options had been considered. Echo and other presenters said fleet, grants and efficiency are considered during procurement but emphasized safety and operational needs as primary drivers.