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Burlington Fire Department briefed Board of Finance on staffing, ambulance revenue and lost one-time ARPA funding
Summary
Fire officials told the Board of Finance that staffing costs drive the department budget, ambulance billing and lost ARPA funds are increasing the general-fund ask, and the department is expanding community health work while trying to curb overtime through lateral hiring and training.
Chief Matthew LaChance, Burlington Fire Department, told the Board of Finance on May 14 that the department responded to almost 11,000 calls for service last year and faces a budget shaped mainly by personnel costs.
"We did, just shy of 11,000 calls for service last year, 1,592 fire responses, which is which was 67 structural fires, 7,100 emergency medical responses, and 2,200 other responses," LaChance said in his presentation. He also said the department currently lists about 95 operational staff and one office manager.
Why it matters: Fire personnel pay and minimum-staffing rules account for roughly 93% of the department’s budget, the chief said, leaving little room for non‑labor cuts. The department expects a roughly $2.2 million increase in general‑fund support in FY26 after one‑time federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money…
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