Syracuse City council reviews fire department budget as wave of retirements looms

The Syracuse City Council heard the fire department's budget overview and staffing outlook at a budget hearing, where the fire chief warned that a surge of retirements, rising call volume and aging apparatus will create ongoing service and funding pressures.

The chief told councilors the department responded to roughly 28,000 alarms last year, including 87 major structure fires, and expects classes of new recruits to be added beginning in February. He said the department currently plans for 380 budgeted sworn positions with 368 filled, leaving about 12 vacancies, and described a multi-year wave of retirements that will require repeated recruitment classes to maintain frontline staffing.

The hearing focused on why the department is asking for more recurring personnel funding and how a recent multi-year award — which the chief said totaled about $7.5 million over three years — will temporarily pay for additional personnel. The chief said the grant covers some hires now but will leave the city with roughly $1 million a year in new costs once the award ends. He…