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Carlsbad fire chief outlines staffing, apparatus and wildfire-planning needs; requests ladder-truck replacement in budget
Summary
Fire Chief Michael Calderwood and staff presented an operational update: Carlsbad saw about 14,707 incidents in 2024, EMS calls are more than 80% of demand, the Coastal Corridor generates over half of call volume, and staff recommended adding an aerial ladder truck to the vehicle replacement fund and pursuing a multiyear staffing plan.
The Carlsbad Fire Department presented an operational update to the City Council that highlighted rising call volume, strained apparatus replacement timelines and proposed staffing changes.
Fire Chief Michael Calderwood said the department responded to 14,707 unique incidents in 2024 and made 24,585 unit responses. Assistant Fire Chief Nick Cordelli said emergency medical service (EMS) calls make up more than 80% of the department’s call volume and that improved ambulance capacity added in 2022 increased transport capacity and cost recovery.
Staff emphasized that the Coastal Corridor — protected by…
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