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Fire chief says grants and equipment purchases helped reduce overtime; requests administrative data role for inspections and risk scoring
Summary
Fire Chief Kevin Krueger told the council the department used federal and state grants in FY25 to fund training and apparatus, is seeking a reclassification of one vacant firefighter position into an administrative manager/data analyst to run a risk‑based inspection program, and described several one‑time equipment needs in FY26.
Fire Chief Kevin Krueger told the City Council budget committee the fire department managed its FY25 budget while using grants and capital funding to upgrade apparatus and training, and he urged the council to fund several one‑time needs and a reclassification to build a data and inspection capacity.
Krueger said FY25 saw record apparatus delivery — three new engines and a new ladder truck — paid in part through capital improvement funding and grants. The department received an Assistance to Firefighters Grant to fund NFPA fire‑officer training (about $209,000 grant with a 10% local match of $18,595), Massachusetts Department of Fire Services firefighter safety equipment grants (about $62,500), a $35,000 hazardous‑materials training award from a federal securing‑cities grant, and a $3,013,300 education award supporting the SAFE (school and senior) programs.
Krueger asked the…
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