Fire chief says grants and equipment purchases helped reduce overtime; requests administrative data role for inspections and risk scoring

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 council to approve converting one vacant firefighter slot into an administrative manager/data analyst position to sustain a data‑driven “scorecard” approach to prioritize high‑risk multi‑family properties, reduce nuisance alarms and target community education. He told councilors the department’s new National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) incident reporting system will require staff capacity for data analysis and consistent inspections.

Budget details and notable items - One‑time requests: Hydrostatic testing for breathing air cylinders (150 cylinders at $50 each, $7,500), replacement of aging portable radio batteries and handheld mics (roughly $15,530), and the 10% match for a federal firefighter training grant ($18,595). Krueger said the radio batteries are reaching end of life and can affect on‑scene communications. - Grants and capital: Chief Krueger described multiple grants that paid training and equipment costs for FY25 and capital funding for vehicle acquisitions. He identified a $550,000 award from the 2022 Massachusetts transportation bond for a specialized rescue vehicle and equipment to support passenger‑rail incidents. - Staffing: No net new positions were requested; instead the department is asking to transition a vacant firefighter position to an administrative manager/data analyst to build sustainable inspection, nuisance‑alarm reduction and community education programs. Krueger said the department has roughly 80 firefighters with five years or less experience and that training for newly promoted officers is essential. - Overtime and vacancy savings: Krueger said proactive recruitment and academy scheduling reduced the department’s reliance on overtime in FY25 compared with earlier pandemic years, but he cautioned that overtime needs remain variable because of injuries and multi‑alarm incidents. The department’s FY26 overtime request reflects historical practice and known training needs.

Why it matters: Krueger framed the administrative/data role as an investment that leads to fewer fires, less apparatus wear and tear, lower fuel use and better prevention via targeted inspections and community education. Councilors asked for clarity on recurring costs (e.g., hydrostatic testing every five years) and for overtime historical data. Krueger said the department will continue aggressive grant seeking and expects to meet the FY26 target if the proposed budget is maintained.

Ending Krueger closed by asking council support for a level‑fund FY26 budget that includes the described enhancements; councilors requested overtime history, salary and vacancy comparisons and other supporting data for follow‑up.