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Gardner fire officials report high overtime, federal and state grants for new equipment
Summary
The Gardner Fire Department told the committee it has high overtime due to vacancies, is buying equipment with a state firefighter safety grant, applied for FEMA AFG radios, and expects new apparatus deliveries tied to ARPA and a bond.
The Gardner City Fire Department told the Public Safety Committee on March 28 that staffing shortfalls have driven overtime spending well above budget while the department pursues state and federal grants to replace aging equipment.
“As of this week's payroll, the overtime expenditures are at ... just under $577,000 for the year,” the Fire Chief said, noting the original budgeted amount was $200,000. The ambulance overtime line was reported at about $84,000 against a $70,000 budget. The department said most overtime is contractual and required to maintain apparatus staffing.
The department reported three new hires are scheduled to start…
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