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Unified Fire Authority reports seasonal hiring, hotshot crew development and new fire marshal promotion
Summary
UFA reported hiring 40 seasonal wildland firefighters, progress toward establishing an interagency hotshot crew to augment wildland response, and promoted Division Chief Wade Watkins to fire marshal; calls in the canyon were 46% EMS and most call volume occurs after 2 p.m.
Chief Case of the Unified Fire Authority (UFA) gave a departmental update. He said two recent calls required significant response (one treated as a cardiac emergency and one rubbish fire that drew multiple city engines), and he thanked residents for compliance with response guidance. He reported UFA hired 40 seasonal wildland firefighters this year and is in the final phase of creating an interagency hotshot crew to strengthen wildland firefighting capability; these crews are highly trained responders who can deploy regionally. UFA promoted Division Chief Wade Watkins to fire marshal, a position the council may work with on future public‑safety matters.
Chief Case also summarized call statistics for the last quarter plus a month: about 46% EMS calls and roughly 77% classified as emergent at initial dispatch; call volume tends to increase after about 2 p.m. He reminded residents about fireworks restrictions and seasonal safety precautions.
Next steps: Chief Case will share updates and the council may consult the new fire marshal on local open‑burning policy work.
