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Temple Fire Department reports record call volume, training center use and apparatus pre-orders
Summary
Fire leadership reported increasing call volume and responses, new training assets including a drafting pit and driving pad, vehicle pre-orders to address supply delays, and ongoing recruitment and paramedic training; the department noted it is on pace for a record year in incidents.
The Temple Fire Department reported rising call volumes, ongoing hiring and training activity, and investments in training assets and apparatus procurement during the council workshop.
Fire Chief (presenter) said the department has 136 personnel on the roster, including 30 certified positions and six civilian positions, and noted 22 of those certified roles are operations staff who ride apparatus. He told the workshop the city is “on another record pace this year for incidents,” reporting just over 9,000 calls year to date and projecting about 15,600 calls for the full year.
The chief described a rise in house fires and grass-and-brush fires linked to growth into more rural areas; he said the department had already recorded roughly 300 structure-fire calls by mid-May and expected the year to surpass previous highs. He also described the department’s apparatus pre-ordering strategy to cope with national manufacturing delays and said several engines, squads and a tanker have been placed in the procurement pipeline with staggered delivery expectations.
The department highlighted new training assets at the Public Safety Training Center, including a driving skills pad and a drafting pit that will allow in-house pump testing and staff training. The chief said using the drafting pit reduces reliance on external vendors for pump tests and provides valuable in-house training opportunities.
Fire leadership also noted community programs — junior firefighter cadets, confined-space training with Public Works, and mutual-aid responses — and recognized the department’s team award from the 100 Club related to the large Highway 36 multi-agency response last year. No council action was requested; the item was informational.
