St. Louis Fire Department warns staffing, equipment gaps as FY26 budget trimmed

St. Louis — St. Louis Fire Department Chief Jackerson told the Board of Aldermen's Budget and Public Employees Committee on May 8 that the department’s FY26 request was cut and those reductions hit personnel-related and equipment line items.

"The Saint Louis Fire Department is committed to the preservation of life property and the environment by effectively and efficiently meeting with the emerging public safety and welfare needs of our diverse community," Chief Jackerson said when he opened the department’s presentation.

The fire department requested $75,154,741 for fiscal year 2026; the proposed budget returned to the committee showed roughly $71.0 million. Chief Jackerson said most of the request overage is personnel-related and that the department’s workload remains large: he said the department logs about "59,000 incidents" and "on an average, the fire department handles about a hundred thousand responses per year," while EMS handles about 56,000 emergency responses.

Why this matters: the department says EMS demand and a national paramedic shortage are pressing. Chief Jackerson said the department currently staffs 12 ambulances and would like to increase that number, describing EMS personnel as "overworked." He reported a paramedic class of 14 students due to graduate in two weeks and said the department plans additional recruit classes, but noted ongoing shortfalls at officer ranks because promotions have been frozen by litigation.

Key budget cuts and program notes

- Protec…