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Fire chief and volunteers report higher call volumes, training gains and equipment needs; Measure A credited for catch‑up purchases
Summary
Fire department leaders told the council volunteer ranks had stabilized, training hours remained high and Measure A funding helped replace key apparatus; council and staff discussed water‑system upgrades downtown and long‑term infrastructure needs.
Fire and volunteer leaders updated the council on department activity, staffing and equipment needs and highlighted Measure A’s role in recent capital upgrades.
The fire presentation reported increased call volumes in late 2024, with November at 69 calls and December at 35 after a service change reduced call volume for the rural district. Leaders said volunteer membership had dipped in prior years but recent recruitment produced several new volunteers and that average annual training for a volunteer was about 125 hours.
Officials described capital projects underway or completed: replacement of aging hose, ongoing radio and P25 infrastructure work, a training facility used by multiple departments and a dozer grant whose lease payments are nearly complete. Presenters said some equipment and building elements remain on 10‑ to 30‑year replacement cycles and noted an aging apparatus roof and an SCBA compressor flagged for near‑term replacement.
Fire staff and council also raised a long‑term infrastructure concern for downtown firefighting: portions of the older distribution system in the historic core still rely on 4‑inch water mains, limiting available firefighting flow. Speakers warned the city should prioritize line upsizing in key alleys and corridors as a capital project to reduce fire risk.
Council and staff credited Measure A funding with enabling the department to replace mission‑critical apparatus and to avoid near‑term borrowing; volunteers have contributed directly to some vehicle purchases. No new capital appropriations were approved at the meeting; staff will continue to identify grant and budget avenues for roof, SCBA compressor and water‑main projects.
Ending: The council heard that volunteers and staff have kept the department operational through recent demands, with Measure A and grants helping replace several items; members flagged downtown water‑main upgrades and facility maintenance as priorities for future budgeting.
