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Franklin Fire Department seeks reclassifications, stipends, equipment and expansion planning as calls rise
Summary
Fire leaders told the Feb. 12 committee that the department logged 11,711 calls last year (67% medical), improved response times and proposes reclassifying nine positions for a district‑captain model, increasing paramedic stipends, funding training and replacing aging apparatus; fire marshal flagged inspection and plan‑review capacity and possible fee adjustments.
Fire Department leaders presented their FY27 priorities to the Budget & Finance Committee on Feb. 12, asking the committee to consider operational reclassifications, targeted stipends, training investments and capital replacements to sustain service for a growing city.
Chief Johnson highlighted operational achievements: roughly 11,711 calls last year with a 5 minute, 23 second average response time (a 4% decrease in response time). Training remains a focus: the department logged 58,950 training hours across divisions and certified its officer corps in the BlueCard command model. The department described recent apparatus deliveries (two engines arrived in 2025) and projected additional apparatus (a ladder and engine expected in 2027).
On staffing, the fire leadership described a district‑captain trial designed to put captains in cars to improve mentorship and task‑level supervision. The proposal would reclassify nine firefighter positions to lieutenants and backfill companies without adding net new staff; chiefs said the change allows captains to be more mobile and provide on‑scene supervision and training.
Compensation requests include increasing the paramedic stipend from $11,500 to $15,000 to encourage personnel to pursue certification and a $2/hour specialty stipend cap for technicians in roles such as drone pilots, car‑seat techs, USAR and HAZMAT. Fire chiefs also requested a dedicated SCBA manager to handle annual testing and maintenance (outsourcing estimated at about $165/hour per pack) and other capital asks including a replacement air compressor, trench‑rescue training, a hard‑bottom swift‑water boat and replacement of older apparatus (targets: 12–15 years for ladders, 10 years for engines).
Fire Marshal Andy King said inspections rose 16% to 2,544 inspections after the city launched an online inspection portal; he urged more plan‑review capacity to avoid bottlenecks and improve predictability for developers. Staff acknowledged that inspection and plan‑review fees are relatively low and have not been adjusted for some time and that reinspection fees exist but have not been implemented; the city will return with analyses of cost vs. fees in March.
Chiefs raised longer‑term issues including shift and overtime models (40‑hour, 53‑hour, 24/72, 48/96 configurations) and the fiscal implications of any change. They also noted that a new Tower 7 (Goose Creek/Berry Farms area) would require 12 additional operational staff when built; the department said they are monitoring growth, annexation possibilities and land‑donation discussions.
Committee members asked for equipment cost details, replacement timing and the fee analysis; staff said several apparatus in a current bond issue were authorized for order in December 2024 and are on schedule for 2027 delivery. No formal appropriations were made at the meeting; departments will return with detailed PERs and cost breakdowns for committee review.
