Fire chief says new station and apparatus remain priorities; department cut hires in lean budget
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Summary
Fire department asked for additional personnel and deferred apparatus purchases; a fire engine on order is years out, the department keeps about $800,000 in a capital account for apparatus, and hydrant work and ISO rating implications were discussed.
The fire department’s budget was presented as largely flat but with upcoming capital needs, including a fire engine the chief said is on order and expected to deliver in the fall of 2026. The chief and City Manager Tom Daugherty said the city has set aside roughly $800,000 in a capital account toward that apparatus. "I think we'll make a decision at that point whether we pay cash for it or we get a note on it," Daugherty said.
The chief described lengthy manufacturer lead times: the truck on order involved a roughly three-and-a-half-year wait; prices have risen substantially, with the quoted price on the current truck about $826,000 and likely higher now, and an additional $150,000 in equipment outfitting estimated after delivery. The chief said the department did request additional personnel in earlier drafts but that those requests were removed to close the budget gap; he said the budget as presented is "a healthy working budget" though not sufficiently progressive to meet longer-range staffing goals.
Fire staffing and standards were discussed: the department is a combination career/volunteer force with one active volunteer remaining, and NFPA fireground staffing guidance was cited. The chief said a combination department should put 10 people on scene for a structure fire; Fairview has been moving toward that standard and is closer on fully staffed days but has not yet met it consistently. The chief also said adding a new station and personnel should improve the city's ISO insurance rating and lower response times in outlying areas.
Other items: hydrant installation in older areas without coverage is a recurring public-works coordination item with the water provider; the city budgets for a small number of hydrant installs annually depending on the water provider's availability. AEDs and turnout-gear replacement cycles were discussed; AEDs are replaced about every five years.
No formal action was taken; the board will consider the capital needs and staffing as part of the overall budget process.
