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Stratford fire budget described as 'relatively flat'; department cites contractual step raises and training costs
Summary
Fire Chief Atkinson told council the fire budget is essentially flat but reflects contractually required step raises and higher education/certification spending; the department reported a minimum manning level and a total staff count of 99.
Chief Atkinson presented the fire administration budget at the March 20, 2024 workshop and described it as "relatively flat" but influenced by contractual obligations and higher goods and services costs.
Atkinson told the council the department reviewed annual trends and contractual obligations to keep the budget lean. When asked whether the mayor's proposed budget allows the department to deliver the same level of services, he said it does: "The mayor's proposed budget does account for our needs," and noted the department uses internal project groups to find cost containment measures.
Members pressed on the education line, which rose from $47,616 in FY23 to a requested $90,000 in FY25. Atkinson said education and tuition reimbursement are contractually guaranteed benefits and the department had expanded class coverage; the transcript records that individual members can receive up to $17,750 in tuition reimbursement through the contract and that the line funds departmental training as well as individual tuition and certifications.
On staffing and minimum manning, Atkinson said the contract requires minimum manning of 22 firefighters per 24‑hour shift (24 on/72 off rotation across four stations) and reported total department staffing at 99 (92 line firefighters, four in fire prevention, chief and deputy/one captain). He said the department was fully staffed per the contract and had a recent new hire to cover a retirement.
Ending: Council thanked the chiefs for the presentation and asked for follow‑up details on specific payroll trend questions; no formal budget action was taken at the session.
