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Hartford fire officials describe rising costs, apparatus needs and a plan for replacement
Summary
The fire department reported 33,859 calls for service in 2025, described staffing and facility needs including a proposed new firehouse and apparatus replacement plan, and said some business cases were not funded in the current budget.
The city's fire chief presented the Hartford Fire Department's 2026 budget highlights to the Management, Budget, and Government Accountability Committee, saying the department responded to 33,859 calls for service in 2025 and managed 106 significant structure fires.
The chief said the department conducted 47 relocations last year that affected about 530 residents and asked for additional staff in the special services division, including two lieutenants, to handle workload and reduce burnout. The department also reiterated the need for apparatus replacement and a plan for a new firehouse after renovation costs exceeded expectations.
On the budget numbers, the chief said the adopted general-fund figure for 2026 was $43,026,309 and that the recommended amount is about $47.8 million — a change of approximately $4.78 million, or 11.1% — which the department attributed primarily to growth increments and contractual obligations tied to recent labor agreements.
The chief said the department achieved international accreditation and ISO Class 1 status last year, noting that the process involved reviews of about 250 performance indicators. He described an apparatus replacement plan and said cities face rising apparatus costs because of manufacturer pricing and long lead times for equipment.
Council members praised the department's outreach and training programs and asked whether key business cases were funded. The chief said some business cases had not been granted in this cycle (including the new firehouse and additional special-services personnel) but that apparatus funding was being pursued separately from this operating budget.
No committee vote took place during the presentation; the chief concluded by taking questions about recruitment, retention and how contractual changes affect overtime and staffing.
