Mount Shasta leaders and fire district discuss staffing shortfalls, contract terms and volunteer burnout

Mount Shasta city officials, members of the Mount Shasta Fire Protection District and fire department personnel met in a special session to discuss chronic staffing shortages, a disputed 2019 contract that eliminated callback pay and worsening volunteer burnout that officials and firefighters said is jeopardizing after‑hours response.

City staff and district board members opened the meeting saying the purpose was to “have a conversation about our unfilled position and the future of being able to pace for services in the city.” The city’s finance director, Melissa, told attendees that a recent review found the city in deficit spending and that an expected 24% reserve for the year was “nonexistent.” She said the city therefore directed short‑term hiring freezes and other cuts while it works to close a budget gap.

The practical effect, Chief Burns said, is a skeletal paid staff. “There’s 2 captains and 2 firefighters and myself at the moment, and 1 of those firefighter positions is being flown for k. staff,” he told the meeting. Burns and other speakers said some paid employees have applied to other agencies and one captain is leaving; volunteers are providing much of the evening and…