Fire department seeks vehicle replacement, increased captain pay, administrative clerk and recurring EMS billing support

Fire and emergency medical services presented supplemental requests focused on operational equipment, staffing and mental‑health supports, and described proposed uses for a $50,000 donation.

The department requested replacing a 2004 F350 command vehicle that has increasing mechanical issues, increasing captains’ pay to address pay compression with lieutenants after recent paramedic retention adjustments, and funding one administrative clerk (budgeted at $53,669 including benefits) to centralize scheduling, billing and inspection coordination. Staff said EMS billing revenue this year may approach $900,000 and that improved billing administration would help capture revenue.

Fire requested replacing two CPR machines on a five‑year lease to include a service agreement (estimated $12,861 per year for two units) rather than paying upfront, and proposed a recurring $5,000 line for mental‑health assistance for personnel when insurance coverage is insufficient. The department described donated funds ($50,000) and proposed using them to replace Station Two living‑room flooring (approx. $8,000), to replace three sets of structural turnout gear, to repair a station bathroom (sewage inside walls) and to purchase replacement hose and rescue equipment for specialty rescues; the department also described a SAFER grant application and noted the city share for the three‑year grant would be approximately $279,000 total, with a smaller first‑year city share (about $54,000) if awarded.

No council action was taken during the workshop; fire asked council to consider these items in the proposed budget and to note donated‑fund timing adjustments.