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Fire chief flags staffing shortfall; proposes vacation buyback to limit overtime
Summary
The fire chief reported the department is down three staff — including a recent resignation and an officer out after a heart attack — and said the department may pay overtime or consider a vacation buyback program to maintain coverage. Recruitment is ongoing but training delays mean new hires won't immediately relieve staffing pressure.
The fire chief reported the department is short three personnel due to a resignation, an extended medical absence and an open vacancy, and said the staffing shortfall is driving overtime and coverage concerns.
"There's a few options that we would have. If we don't decide to do anything, then we're gonna be paying overtime to make sure we're covering our shifts," the chief said. He proposed a vacation buyback plan for the fiscal year as one option staff have discussed; he said recruitment is open but that newly hired firefighters require time before they can fully cover shifts.
The chief framed the proposal as operationally necessary to maintain ISO coverage and to avoid excessive overtime. He said he would present more options and that the department is accepting applications for open positions.
