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Kankakee fire chief flags staffing shortfalls, vehicle-replacement plan and ambulance lead times
Summary
Fire Chief LaRoche told the public safety committee the department has five unstaffed slots, experienced an overtime spike in January and has put forward a vehicle-replacement plan that includes long lead times for new ambulances and options to pursue demo or remounted units.
Fire Chief LaRoche told the Kankakee City Public Safety Committee that the department faces near‑term staffing and fleet challenges and presented a preliminary vehicle‑replacement plan at the meeting.
Why it matters: Shortfalls in fire staffing, rising overtime in specific months, aging apparatus and long procurement lead times for ambulances can affect emergency response capacity and near‑term budgeting decisions.
LaRoche said five shifts were unstaffed in the month reported (three employees on FMLA or injury, one potentially returning soon, and one expected resignation), and that the department is actively recruiting. He described January expenses of $78,504 and a…
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