Elgin moves to expand fleet mechanics and run in‑house paramedic training to reduce overtime and outside repairs
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Summary
Fire and public works leaders said Nov. 12 the city will add three mechanics to consolidate fire fleet work under City Fleet Services and run an in‑house condensed paramedic course for about 23 EMTs, at a one‑time cost estimated at $1 million.
Fire Chief Robert Soggin and Public Works Director Aaron Neal told council Nov. 12 they plan to shift fire vehicle maintenance into the city’s Fleet Services division and add three mechanics who will be initially housed at Fire Station 7. The consolidation aims to reduce outsourced transmission and major repairs, improve preventive maintenance and lower firefighter overtime currently used for fleet work.
Chief Soggin said Elgin’s model has relied on firefighter driveway‑mechanics and outside vendors; moving to a professional fleet staff will increase uptime for fire apparatus and ambulances and, over time, save money by reducing expensive outside service orders. Public Works staff said the fleet division currently has seven mechanics responsible for nearly 650 vehicles; industry standards suggest one mechanic per 35–50 vehicles, and the proposed change would expand the staff to nine mechanics.
Chief Soggin also described a one‑time initiative: an in‑house condensed paramedic training program to speed certification for roughly 23 Elgin EMTs. "We're gonna run our own paramedic class next year... this will be a one‑time expense of $1,000,000," Soggin said, adding that the city will use Sherman Hospital curriculum and Elgin instructors to compress training and accelerate staffing for new ambulances.
Why it matters: Staff said the combined approach—professional fleet mechanics and accelerated training—should reduce overtime and increase frontline availability of emergency vehicles and EMS capacity. Council members asked about long‑term savings, EV certifications for mechanics and whether the training could become a regional revenue source; Chief Soggin said Sherman Hospital and union conversations would be necessary before offering training externally.
Next steps: The personnel and training costs are part of the 2026 budget proposals and will be considered in upcoming budget deliberations. No final hiring authorization was made Nov. 12.