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Chief reports higher-than-usual call volume, staffing challenges and retirements at Jan. 14 Glens Falls Public Safety meeting
Summary
At the Jan. 14 meeting the chief presented preliminary year-end metrics: 290 calls in the past month (207 EMS), a year total described as 3,841 calls with about 78% EMS, substantial training hours, and two retirements. The board accepted the report by voice vote.
The Glens Falls Board of Public Safety on Jan. 14 heard a preliminary year-end report from department leadership showing elevated call volume, extensive training hours and staffing pressures.
Speaker 1 reported 290 calls in the previous month, of which 207 were emergency medical services calls, along with 75 fire-related calls, two vehicle rescues and 13 service-assistance calls. The presenter said the year ended with 3,841 calls, a figure described as "just under 4,000," and that about 78% of calls were EMS-related.
The report flagged staffing impacts: Speaker 1 said the department recorded 531 lost man-hours to sickness in the month and 4,862 man-hours lost for the year. The presenter also cited 3,414 man-hours of training last month, 103 inspections and 29 reinspections during the prior year, and nine fire investigations. The department remains understaffed and is pursuing recruitment; Speaker 1 noted a recent certification exam had 13 attendees (18 registered) in Warren County.
Speaker 2 and other board members thanked the chief and moved to accept the report; the motion carried by voice vote.
Retirements and recognition
Speaker 1 announced two retirements: Assistant Chief Rob Mix, described as having three decades of service, and Steve Gerard, a 23-year department member with family ties to local fire service. The retirements were noted as occurring soon with a last shift referenced on a Saturday at 2 p.m.; the presenter invited colleagues to stop by Ridge Street to thank them.
Notes on unclear transcript items
A numeric detail in the transcript — "Our overtime for the month was $18.87" followed by "17,073 hours of overtime for the year" — appears inconsistent and likely reflects transcription or audio errors. The article reports the numbers as spoken in the transcript and flags them as unclear; precise overtime dollar amounts and cumulative overtime hours were not specified clearly in the record.
The board accepted the chief’s report and recorded appreciation for retiring staff. No formal follow-up motions or roll-call vote tallies were included in the transcript.
