Eustis Fire Chief said during the Jan. 13 workshop that the department's call load is increasingly concentrated during daytime hours and that staff must plan for additional station capacity on the north/northwest side of the city to maintain response times and meet demand.

The fire department reported that medical calls make up roughly 72% of its emergency responses, and department data show about 39% of time in 2024 when more than one vehicle was already committed to a call (concurrent calls). The chief said two front-line engines and one existing rescue are insufficient to cover peak demand across the city's growing service area and that a third staffed station would reduce pressure on existing apparatus and improve coverage for neighborhoods north and northwest of the central business district.

Chiefs and staff described projects already underway — including a recently delivered aerial ladder truck, ongoing training and new staffing for rescue operations — and said equipment delivery lead times have lengthened: the chief reported a multi-year delay in a new engine purchase and said the department may need to order additional apparatus in advance of current deliveries to avoid fleet shortfalls. The chief also asked commissioners to consider buying or reserving land now for future stations in order to avoid paying higher development prices as suburban parcels are developed.

Commissioners and staff discussed interim options, including temporary modular facilities on city-owned land, leasing arrangements and coordination with county stations where mutual-aid arrangements already exist. Staff cautioned that taking over certain county stations would not automatically improve the city's insurance rating because mutual-aid stations already count toward current ratings; the chief and staff said the city should pursue a dedicated, staffed station in the north quadrant to improve the department's ISO profile and reduce response times.

No formal motion was made; staff will include a fire-station feasibility plan and cost estimates in upcoming capital-planning discussions.