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Fire chief reports med-unit production, mental-health app and $5 million for new Station 3
Summary
Fire Chief Eaton told the commission Feb. 5 that two med units are in production, a mental-health app purchased with state funds is being rolled out, and a $5,000,000 appropriation has cleared legislative steps to fund a fully finished three-floor Station 3.
Fire Department leadership told the Police and Fire Commission on Feb. 5 that several capital and wellness projects are underway, including med-unit production, department-wide ballistic-gear replacement and a mental-health app for firefighters. Chief Eaton also reported a $5,000,000 appropriation intended to fund a fully finished three-floor Station 3.
Chief Eaton said "Green 1 went to Maryland for its refurbishment" and that two med units are in production with anticipated delivery in March or April. He noted that ballistic gear from the capital plan has arrived at Station 2 and will be distributed department-wide.
The department has purchased a mental-health app for firefighter counseling and wellness, which Chief Eaton said was paid for with state funds. "It's an option," he said when asked if staff are required to register; the app is a one-year contract that will be re-evaluated after that term.
On Station 3, Chief Eaton said the $5,000,000 appropriation "went through the house and the senate. I think it's going to the president for signature," and that with that funding the department plans to finish all three floors and locate administrative offices on the third floor while crews occupy lower floors.
Why it matters: the med units and ballistic gear affect emergency response capacity and responder safety; the mental-health app is a workforce-support measure. The new-station funding, if finalized and expended as described, will affect station locations and staffing allocations.
Details: Chief Eaton said about four open fire-department positions exist and that background checks and reference checks are underway for several candidates. Station 3 kitchen renovation is active and the new station groundbreaking could occur in calendar year 2026, he told the commission.
Next steps: Chief Eaton said he will keep the commission updated on project milestones and scheduling for the new station. The commission did not vote on project funding at the Feb. 5 meeting; the chief described the legislative steps the appropriation had taken.
