Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Department topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Delaware Fire Department projects faster response times, plans Station 305 staffing
Summary
Fire officials reported improved response times to 85% at the 6‑minute benchmark, credited operational changes including ending cross‑staffing, and said Station 305 construction starts soon with a plan to staff it with nine personnel when it opens.
Chief (Fire Department) reported to the Finance Committee that the department’s response‑time performance has improved to roughly 85% meeting the goal of six‑minute responses 90% of the time, up from earlier years. The chief said operational changes — notably eliminating cross‑staffing at Station 303 — allowed trucks and medic units to remain staffed and respond independently.
The department said it expects construction on Station 305 to begin Monday and estimated the station will be operational in 16 to 18 months. The staffing plan for the new station calls for nine personnel at opening — three crews of two firefighters plus a lieutenant on each crew — and the department is planning recruitments and paramedic training to fill those positions.
The chief also described personnel and wellness initiatives: a voluntary cancer‑screening blood draw offered to members (63 of 80 personnel participated), use of the federal SAFER grant to hire firefighters, continued equipment leasing for cardiac monitors, and turnout gear inspection and replacement cycles. Fire described additional 2026 goals to eliminate cross‑staffing at Station 302 and to expand pediatric emergency training with county partners.
Committee members praised the improved response metrics and asked about long‑term staffing scenarios; the chief and members discussed exploring different staffing configurations once Station 305 is online.
