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Fire chief warns of staffing shortfall, seeks recruiting and capital support as apparatus lead times lengthen
Summary
Fire Chief Joel Thacker told councilors that Carmel Fire Department faces near‑term retirements and vacancies that could leave minimum staffing short by 12 to 40 positions in 2026, described a new lateral recruitment process and asked for funding for training, equipment and vehicle projects amid long lead times for apparatus.
Fire Chief Joel Thacker presented the Carmel Fire Department’s 2026 budget request and warned the council the department faces a near‑term staffing gap as a wave of retirements and separations approaches.
Thacker said the department currently staffs about 170 sworn firefighters and was down roughly 12 positions at the time of the presentation; he said he expects about 12 named retirements in 2026 and said he is budgeting to add up to 40 additional positions to maintain minimum staffing and cover scheduled time off. He told councilors that without additional hires and changes the department risks having units…
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