Brooklyn Park officials say 12 firefighter vacancies stretch department; council to consider hiring four

Brooklyn Park — Fire department leaders told the City Council at a special work session that the Brooklyn Park Fire Department is short 12 of its 42 authorized operational firefighters and is asking the council to consider hiring four vetted candidates immediately and to discuss longer-term staffing and budget options next week.

Fire Chief Sean Conley told the council, “Currently, we are in a unique situation. We have 12 vacancies.” He and battalion chiefs outlined how that shortfall has forced two-person engine companies at times, heavier overtime use and temporary reductions in available apparatus.

The immediate request is narrow: hire four candidates already vetted on the city’s eligibility list, and repost remaining openings to build a larger bench. Conley said three additional new hires will graduate this Friday but are probationary and “do not count against our daily staff” until they complete 6…