Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Richardson Fire Department reports nearly 15,000 calls in 2024; council approves consent agenda including apparatus procurement
Summary
Chief Center told council the department responded to 14,982 calls in 2024 with 24,035 apparatus responses, noted long lead times for apparatus, and council approved the consent agenda that includes ordering equipment whose delivery is years away.
The Richardson Fire Department presented its 2024 annual report on Monday, reporting 14,982 calls and heavy apparatus utilization while urging the council to plan purchases early because of long manufacturer lead times.
Chief Center (fire chief) told the council the department handled 14,982 calls in calendar year 2024 and logged 24,035 apparatus responses, noting that multiple vehicles respond to many incidents. "Of our total calls, that's the demands by day of the week, demands by the month and demand by hour," he said, underscoring resource utilization across shifts.
The chief highlighted recruiting, training and wellness: 184 approved full-time positions (one vacancy), extensive training hours to support ISO classification, mental-wellness checks for all personnel, and the addition of new apparatus last year (including a replacement ambulance and engine). The department also cited accomplishments including gold-plus recognition from the American Heart Association’s Mission Lifeline initiative and multiple documented life saves.
A major focus was procurement lead times. The chief warned that current manufacturing schedules mean ambulances can take "18 to 24 months," engines "36 to 40 months," and quints "48 to 50 months" to arrive. He told council that ordering before April 1 on certain apparatus could save roughly 6% on cost and about $100,000 on a specific truck order; the city generally pays at delivery, he said.
Chief Center also described partnerships and equipment additions: a recognized University Emergency Medical Response (UEMR) volunteer EMS program on the UTD campus that handles many campus calls, purchase of laser gas detectors (to avoid forcible entry for suspected gas), and grant-funded equipment for gas detection and investigation. The department noted growing concerns about electric-vehicle/lithium-battery fires and the complexity and cost of cleaning contaminated bunker gear after exposure to toxic residues.
Following the presentation, Councilmember Hudsonrider moved the consent agenda (which included apparatus orders discussed by the chief); the motion was seconded and passed unanimously by show of hands.
The presentation is informational but tied to procurement and capital planning that will appear in the city’s capital and budget process.
