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Lampasas Fire Department reports 1,576 calls in year, flags aging apparatus and staffing needs
Summary
The Lampasas Fire Department reported 1,576 calls (1,231 EMS; 345 fires) in its annual report, described recent equipment repairs and purchases, and said recruitment, retention and station improvements are priorities for the next budget cycle.
The Lampasas Fire Department presented its annual report for the period Aug. 1–July 31 at the Aug. 25 workshop, reporting a total of 1,576 calls for service, of which 1,231 were EMS calls and 345 were fires. The department said EMS remains the largest portion of its workload and described mutual-aid responses to recent regional flooding and large incidents.
The department reported a full-time staff of 15 (12 operations, three administration), eight part-time personnel used as needed, and an operational staffing model that typically runs with a captain, a driver and two firefighters. Officials said the department completed repairs to return a ladder truck to operational status and purchased battery-operated extrication tools; they said those repairs should yield 3–5 years of dependable service while the department seeks a replacement.
Department leaders told council they face recruitment and retention challenges driven by regional pay disparities and aging apparatus — the ladder and the squad are both more than 20 years old. Priorities for the 2025 budget year include implementing a structured pay scale to improve retention, adding swift-water rescue capability (raft and specialized training), replacing aging apparatus and upgrading station facilities.
Council asked staff clarifying questions about coverage areas and training. The department said it will pursue funding options to address equipment and staffing needs and expand training partnerships with neighboring departments.
