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Fire chief to trial 48/96 schedule, posts deputy chief opening and reports safety building bids under not-to-exceed cap
Summary
The fire chief announced a six-month trial of a 48/96 staffing schedule beginning June 22, posted a deputy chief recruitment, welcomed two new EMS hires, and reported that safety-building bids came in roughly $1.7 million under the project's not-to-exceed amount pending final vetting.
At the March 10 commission meeting the fire chief outlined several operational and capital updates: a planned six-month trial of a 48/96 work schedule, recruitment and onboarding activity, and a favorable bid opening on the city’s safety building project.
The fire chief said full-time staff have requested a trial of a 48/96 schedule (48 hours on, 96 hours off). The department will begin a six-month trial on June 22, align the change with a pay period to minimize overtime effects, and reevaluate in November. The chief said the schedule is budget neutral, retains the part-time staffing model and that firefighters who have worked 48/96 elsewhere reported improved sleep routines, more full weekends off and reduced fatigue.
“As long as we have staffing models that allow alternating calls and rest between evolutions, we think this will be manageable,” the fire chief said, describing how the schedule aims to reduce chronic fatigue and improve work–life balance.
The department also posted a deputy chief position that will remain open until Friday at 5 p.m.; the chief said several applicants are already in the system and the city’s Neogov platform is being used to advertise the opening.
On personnel, the chief welcomed EMT Andrea Peterson back to the department and introduced EMT Nathan Wester, who is attending paramedic school and whose father is chief of the Belgium Fire Department.
The chief reported that the department received a donated replacement for its rapidly aging rapid-deployment craft (RDC) and is purchasing new rigging and straps; the donor will be formally recognized at a future meeting.
On the safety building, the chief said bids opened favorably at roughly $1.7 million below the project’s stated not-to-exceed cap of $33,500,000, leaving a current bid total near $31,800,000. He cautioned that alternates and bid packages still need vetting, that the city has closed on the property, and that staff are negotiating access with the Department of Transportation. The government and finance committee will review alternates this week before the council vote scheduled for March 18; construction is expected to start in late May or early June with a targeted completion in the second quarter of 2026, subject to approvals and final contract details.
The chief also described an ongoing refresh of administrative policies and standard operating guidelines: the department is updating a mission statement, vision, core values and a short code of ethics, and plans a year-long project to refresh policies and operating guidelines.
Commissioners asked operational and scheduling questions, and the chief said an “escape clause” will allow a return to the prior schedule if the trial proves problematic.
No formal commission vote was recorded on the schedule trial or the safety building report; the chief said the trial and the project will proceed with normal administrative and council approvals as required.
