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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 April 7 and will enter a four‑week in‑house program followed by field training and then recruit training at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Several firefighters are on modified duty and one is deployed with a military unit until October, the department said, which contributes to current staffing pressures.
On grants, the department said it received $15,355.19 through the FY2025 Massachusetts Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant and is purchasing attack hose, a multi‑gas meter, a thermal imaging camera and two electric vehicle emergency plugs. The chief said the department also has applied in a subsequent round for protective gear, including structural helmets and ballistic helmets for firefighter/EMT response in active‑shooter scenarios.
On federal funding, the department applied under the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program this cycle for roughly $360,000 to replace 40 portable radios that the chief said are 16 years old and beyond life expectancy.
Fleet updates: a new Sutphen engine purchased with ARPA funds entered frontline service in January; a heavy rescue delivered from the factory is completing final dealer installations and is expected soon; a new tower ladder ordered via bond is scheduled for production in 2025 with delivery expected by the end of 2026 if timelines hold. The roof replacement at Fayette headquarters is near completion and interior repairs remain to be scheduled.
The fire department reported just under 1,600 emergency responses so far in 2025, averaging more than 18 responses per day, and the ambulance transported 367 patients to area hospitals.
Committee members pressed for budget context and the chief explained the bond and vehicle stabilization funds that will affect the final bond draw for a vehicle purchase. No formal committee vote was taken on the report; the department said it will prepare requests to address anticipated deficits before the fiscal year ends.
