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City council adopts budget amendment to hire 30 firefighters, move to city-run EMS
Summary
Council approved Ordinance 25-011, a fiscal-year 2025 amendment reallocating previously budgeted funds to hire 30 additional firefighters/EMT personnel and prepare the city to operate five ambulances 24/7; vote was 13–0.
Wilmington City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 25-011, a fiscal-year 2025 budget amendment that reallocates existing budgeted funds to hire 30 additional firefighters and to staff a city-run emergency medical services (EMS) operation.
Councilwoman Harley presented the ordinance as an urgent budget amendment to enable the fire department to recruit and certify 30 more firefighter/EMTs, upgrade one lieutenant to battalion chief, and create a civilian EMS manager. The measure also allocates about $166,000 for technology and equipment (videos, laptops, tablets) to support the expanded service.
The ordinance uses unspent funds that had been budgeted for a private contractor (Trinity) that the city said was not meeting contract obligations. Council members debated the compressed timeline and the difficulty of the late notice; several members said leadership had been discussing the shift with the mayor since February. Supporters said the move was necessary to ensure ambulance response capacity and to avoid reliance on outside providers.
Council discussed recruitment, retention and diversity concerns for the fire department alongside the budget action. Council members asked for pay, schedules, recruiters and retention strategies to ensure the department can sustain added responsibilities without overtaxing current personnel.
The council approved the ordinance by roll call: 13 ayes, 0 nays. Those recorded voting yes were Councilman Owens; Councilwoman Darby; Councilwoman Oliver; Councilwoman Harley; Councilwoman Willower; Councilwoman McCoy; Councilman Johnson; Councilman Field; Councilwoman Bracey; Councilwoman Cabrera; Councilman Hackett; Councilman Spadola; and President Congo. The ordinance authorizes recruitment to bring staffing from 156 to 186 and aims to field five ambulances 24/7 by late summer, with a recruit academy scheduled to start in May 2025.
The measure transfers previously budgeted funds for the contractor to the fire department; council members said the contractor had been operating on a fee-for-service basis and that unused budgeted funds were available for reallocation. The law department and administration retained responsibility for any contract recovery questions.
Council members requested follow-up reporting on recruitment diversity, retention measures, shift schedules and any additional operational costs.
