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Spokane Fire Department explains overtime surge: staffing, contracts and recruit shortfalls drive costs
Summary
Fire officials told the council that contractual staffing minimums, higher-than-expected retirements and recruit‑academy attrition have pushed overtime sharply higher; the department described operational staffing rules and proposed additional recruit classes to rebuild a relief pool.
Spokane Fire Department leaders told the City Council study session that overtime costs are being driven by contractual staffing requirements, higher retirements and recruit‑academy attrition. Fire Chief Julia Burke said the department comes into 2025 with a proposed overtime budget of $6,400,000 and an adopted budget of $4.97 million; the department has been unable to bridge the gap without actions that would reduce service. “We have to have 71 people on duty every day,” Chief Burke said, explaining how minimum daily staffing, required by the collective bargaining agreement, determines operational FTE needs. Burke outlined the department’s operational staffing: 14 engines (three staff each),…
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