Resident urges council to address fire department staffing, says town contract lapse shows need for a plan

South Beloit — During public comment on Sept. 2, resident Josh Lloyd urged the City Council to develop and implement a management plan for the fire department in light of staffing and equipment concerns.

“Hi. My name is Josh Lloyd, here to talk about the fire department again,” Lloyd said. He told the council he had repeatedly raised concerns about staffing and record accuracy and said nearby towns have declined to continue contracts because of unmet obligations. “We gotta we have to do something. We have to actually manage the situation,” he said, urging the city to plan for achieving a staffing level he described as adequate for the town’s size.

Nut graf: Lloyd’s comments focused on perceived gaps in emergency staffing and maintenance of department assets; he recommended the council adopt a concrete plan and timeline rather than relying on informal assurances.

Lloyd said he believed an adequate minimum staffing level for a town this size would be five firefighters on duty and urged the council to include a timeline for reaching that staffing level if the city cannot immediately hire to that target. He also reported concerns about equipment damage and building repairs following an engine strike to a building and said the city needs accurate inventory and oversight.

Ending: The council did not take action during public comment; Lloyd’s remarks were entered into the record and council members acknowledged they would continue to discuss public-safety staffing during future agenda items.