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Fire chief urges two firefighter-paramedics, highlights staffing strain and Station 2 planning
Summary
Decatur Fire Department reported frequent short staffing, rising EMS calls and ongoing workers’ compensation absences; chief requested two firefighter-paramedics to sustain ALS service and outlined Station 2 site, training-tower and storage plans tied to a long-term capital schedule.
The Decatur Fire Department told the council it is operating under persistent staffing stress that threatens staff wellbeing and response capacity as the city grows.
The fire chief said the department’s “standard” staffing target is five personnel on duty daily, but that the department operates below the standard about 60% of the time and frequently resorts to mandated overtime, part-time coverage and reassignment to meet the workload. The chief reported monthly workers’ compensation cases this year and that accumulated denied vacation and holiday-hours exposures will result in substantial use-it-or-lose-it leave at year end.
EMS calls account for roughly half of Decatur Fire’s workload, the chief said, and overlapping incidents have created coverage gaps: in 2024 the department ran about 2,745 total incidents, and the chief cited 764 overlapping calls in a recent period that stretched available units. The department also pointed to state and ISO inspection standards (NFPA/TCFP/ISO criteria that inform staffing expectations and insurance grading) to frame operational risk if staffing remains constrained.
To start addressing capacity, the chief requested funding for two firefighter-paramedic positions in FY2026 and described progress on Station 2 planning: site closing for the new station, a two-story main station with a small auxiliary pre‑engineered building for storage and an SCBA repair room, and a training tower built into the design. The chief estimated capital and staffing needs will continue as Station 2 is developed and stressed the importance of phasing budgets so the existing station’s staffing and safety are not left behind.
Training, PPE, SCBA maintenance, and recurring education costs were also detailed; the chief said the department had invested in paramedic training partnerships to reduce tuition costs for staff. The department asked council to consider the FY2026 personnel additions as an initial step, while continuing capital work on Station 2 and planning for operations and training facilities.
No vote was taken at the meeting; councilmembers thanked department leaders for the briefing and asked follow-up questions about the enclosure, tower and timeline for land closing and guaranteed maximum price for the station design.
