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Fire chief warns of 24 vacancies, high overtime and injury-driven staffing pressures
Summary
The fire department reported 21,556 calls in 2024, 24 vacancies now, and sustained overtime driven by injuries, retirements and academy attrition; leadership plans a 20-person academy to catch up.
Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi (referred to in the hearing as BJ Calvi/Gowdy) and department leaders told the budget hearing the department answered 21,556 calls in 2024 and is operating with significant staffing shortfalls and overtime driven chiefly by injuries and retirements.
"We answered 21,556 calls for service last year," the commissioner said, and noted the department is "minus 24" uniform positions at the time of the hearing. That shortage, combined with injured-on-duty (IOD) absences and a wave of retirements and military leaves, has driven overtime costs and affected minimum staffing plans.
Why it matters: The fire department said overtime has averaged substantial weekly amounts (tens of thousands of dollars) driven largely by IOD cases and illness across communal stations. The commissioner said some recent academies have seen high attrition: recent small classes of eight produced only three or four graduates. To catch up, the department received authorization to run a 20-person academy this recruiting cycle.
Department leaders outlined several responses: the FY26 budget maintains funding for about 294 positions and for replacement apparatus and equipment; the department has procured a stock ladder truck with a shorter delivery timeline and expects additional engines on longer lead times. The department also budgets for a tactical-athlete wellness program, gear replacement, and training. A wishlist item requested funding for outside vendors to update the department’s standard operating guidelines (SOGs) with an initial quote of about $87,000 for year one and roughly $24,000 annually thereafter.
Commissioners and councilors discussed causes and remedies during the hearing. Commissioner Calvi said catastrophic injury and communal living lead to waves of sick time and that some losses are beyond local control (military leave, retirement). Councilors expressed concern about sustained overtime and recommended examining training, wellness, and potential adjustments to the TAC (tactical) unit staffing model.
The department did not propose reducing response capability; instead leaders said they will prioritize filling academy classes to restore staffing levels and reduce reliance on overtime.
