Council wrestles with soaring fire-department personnel costs as per-diem strategy resurfaces

Cumberland — Town finance and council members pressed town staff on March 24 over large increases in the fire department personnel budget and a plan to rely more on per-diem staff to curb overtime costs.

The finance committee and council reviewed detailed line items in the proposed FY26 budget for the department, which includes pay categories labeled “full time,” “per diem,” “station pay” for call-company training and “call pay” for event-driven responses. The discussion focused on a proposed increase in per-diem budget lines and how that compares with overtime and full-time staffing costs.

Why it matters: Fire and emergency services make up a large portion of Cumberland’s municipal personnel costs. The committee sought evidence that the department’s staffing model and proposed per-diem strategy will reduce net cost…