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Willows fire chief outlines equipment shortfalls, budget pressures and staffing needs
Summary
The Willows Fire Department reported increased call volumes, aging apparatus and a request for a part‑time administrative position as the department balances grant revenue, prepositioning deployments and a general‑fund subsidy that the chief described as unsustainable long term.
The Fire Chief (name not specified), speaking to the Willows City Council, summarized the department’s 2024 activities and pressed the council to fund administrative support and equipment replacements as the department adapts to higher call volumes and regionwide deployments.
The chief said the City fire department responded to 757 incidents in 2024 and the Willows Rural Fire Protection District responded to 341, a heavier rural workload than in recent years. He said the department recruited and trained about 60 volunteer firefighters during the year and conducted roughly 2,000 hours of internal training.
The chief described multiple aging apparatus out of or nearing the end of their expected service lives and gave rough replacement estimates. He said at least one Type 1 engine is out of service, a reserve engine was placed in service in 1994 and is in “poor condition,” and a ladder truck and other older units show wiring and mechanical problems. He called many of the dollar figures “wild guesses” or preliminary estimates and emphasized that the numbers would need firm engineering quotes. He also…
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