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Springfield fire budget adds one mechanic, holds staffing steady amid vehicle-replacement planning
Summary
The Springfield Fire Department requested a $29.49 million budget for FY26, adding one full-time apparatus repairman and keeping overall staffing level while trimming some equipment and OTPS costs; councilors asked about staffing, overtime and a proposed consolidated vehicle plan.
The Springfield Fire Department requested a $29,486,202 operating budget for fiscal year 2026, city officials said Monday, May 19.
The request keeps the department at 290 general-fund full-time equivalents and adds one FTE — an assistant fire apparatus repairman — a position the department said was converted from an intern role.
The budget presentation said the increase includes contractual pay adjustments and targeted personnel costs. "This year's budget for the Springfield Fire Department is $29,486,202. This supports a, 290 general fund FTEs along with 2 part timers 2 part time interns," Commissioner Kelly said. He added that the new full-time hire was "a former intern that came out of the Putnam program, so we kept him on full time as an apprentice fire apparatus repairman." The department also noted it cut 2.6 percent from its OTPS (other than personal services) line per mayoral and OMB direction.
Why it matters: personnel accounts for most of the fire budget. The department told the council that more than 90 percent of the budget goes to wages, overtime and contract-driven pay differentials, leaving a small share for equipment and vehicle repairs.
Councilors pressed the department on the sources of personnel increases. "There's an $802,000 increase on the personnel services, particularly around operations bureau. Can you just explain a little bit more on that?" Councilor Jose Delgado asked. Commissioner Kelly said the rise reflects projected contractual increases, holiday pay, acting-out-of-grade differentials and other negotiated items.
Councilors also asked how the department plans vehicle purchases going forward. Councilor Allen asked whether the fire department supported a consolidated citywide vehicle plan being assembled by a city staffer, and Commissioner Kelly said he did not expect central staff to make final procurement decisions for police or fire. "What I have said, counselors, is Chris is putting those together, but he will not, by any means, be making decisions for the police or fire," he said, adding that departments would provide specifications and a consolidated list would aid multi‑year budgeting.
On staffing, the department said it is currently fully staffed and funds are included in the budget to maintain full staffing next year. "We're fully staffed right now. We've got 20 firefighters in the academy, and we've got no vacancies currently," Commissioner Kelly told the council.
What remains unresolved: councilors pressed for continued oversight of overtime and replacement schedules; the department said it trimmed replacement timelines on some equipment and maintained protective-gear and EpiPen/Narcan programs.
The presentation was part of a multi-department budget hearing; no formal vote on the fire budget occurred during the May 19 meeting.
