Fire department outlines open-house, cadet program and fire services evaluation
Summary
The Cottage Grove Fire Department told the commission about an Oct. 7 open house, a new paid cadet program intended to build recruitment pipelines, and an ongoing fire services evaluation that may guide staffing and station placement for the next decade.
The fire department told the Public Service Commission it plans a public open house on Oct. 7 at the Central Fire Station, discussed a new paid cadet program intended to develop future firefighters, and described a consultant-led fire services evaluation (standards-of-cover study).
John (fire department lead) said the open house will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., will include live demonstrations and community partners, and is intended to promote public education and department outreach. He said staffing has improved from earlier in the year and the department expects to be at full full-time staffing by early October, though part-time recruitment and retention remain challenging.
John described a paid cadet program that offers about 32 hours per week at a living starting wage (he cited roughly $22 per hour) with health insurance; the city received about 90 applicants and is moving one candidate through background checks. The cadet role is intended to provide hands-on experience and a potential pathway to full-time firefighter roles.
The department is conducting a standards-of-cover study to review station placement, staffing and operational recommendations; staff plan community-focused sessions and may invite commissions to participate in focus-group reviews before council decisions on any long-term changes.
No vote was taken; staff said they will continue the study and report back to the commission and council as recommendations solidify.
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