Fire and police departments report hiring progress and equipment purchases; city buys SCBAs, rescue tools and orders patrol vehicles

Fire Department update Fire leadership briefed the council on decision-packet items including recruitment progress, equipment purchases and grant-writing options. The department said recent salary adjustments have improved paramedic retention and that two firefighter-paramedics are on staff with two more expected by early February. A request-for-proposals for third-party EMS billing is under legal review and on hold pending the new city manager's arrival.

Equipment purchases reported: a temporary fire station design contract for $22,550 has been completed; 13 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) were purchased at a total cost reported as about $105,000 after in-kind bottle donations reduced expense; one set of electric rescue tools and related struts and rescue equipment was ordered for just under $60,000; thermal imagers and personal thermal imaging cameras were purchased and assigned to trucks and personnel; two positive-pressure electric fans were added (one installed, one on order). Fire staff noted one savings where dash cameras were purchased for about $1,000 rather than an expected $5,000. The department also described a plan to refurbish or convert surplus military vehicles into brush trucks (Texas Force Service), with the city purchasing skid units for the conversions.

Police Department update The Police Department said it requested four new patrol officer positions in the budget and is currently down about six officers. The department has one officer completing field training and sent two recruits to the academy two weeks earlier; seven certified officers are scheduled for interviews and the department hopes to hire two or three. The department will test approximately 20 non-certified applicants in two weeks for academy eligibility.

Equipment and vehicles: four new patrol vehicles have been ordered and are expected to arrive after manufacturer build times (estimates given as several months to a year depending on production); Lieutenant Hampshire will handle purchase of patrol rifles in the second quarter per finance guidance. The department announced a partnership with AMR for upfitting vehicles locally, which staff said will reduce travel time and expenses compared with previous out-of-town upfitters.

Grants and procurement Fire staff reported outreach to grant vendors (Lexipol and grant-writing firms) and said the city is weighing grant-writer costs (quoted roughly 50–57% success rates and about $3,000 per grant application) against expected return. Several small and mid-range equipment procurements are underway or completed; staff said most budgeted packages are accounted for and awaiting delivery/installation.

Why it matters: equipment purchases and staffing levels affect response capacity and safety. Council thanked staff for the updates and indicated continued support for recruitment and capital purchases but requested ongoing budget alignment.