Fire chief warns aging stations, rising gear costs and injuries strain department budget

Fire Chief Joe Guinara told the Merrimack Town Council during the Jan. 15 budget session that the fire department’s operating and equipment needs have outpaced current funding, citing record call volume, multiple on‑duty injuries and rapidly rising gear and maintenance costs.

“Last year we broke 4,000 9‑1‑1 calls,” Chief Joe Guinara said, adding that the department handled roughly 4,077 emergency calls plus about 2,000 nonemergency responses. He said six firefighters have been injured on duty since July 1, requiring overtime and shift coverage that is largely uncontrollable.

Guinara asked the council to restore hours for part‑time positions and to consider converting the EMS coordinator position from part time to full time. He said that change would allow the coordinator to run in‑house EMS recertifications and paramedic training and reduce contracted training costs and overtime pressure.

The chief outlined sharp increases in personal protective equipment costs, including structural turnout gear and newer particulate hoods designed to reduce carcinogen exposure. “These new carcinogen particulate hoods are made to keep those particulates out,” Guinara said, arguing that higher upfront costs reduce long‑term occupational health risks for firefighters.

Guinara also reviewed maintenance pressures across the department’s three aging stations — including repeated garage‑door failures, sprinkler and vent work, and failing heaters at Station 3 — and said deferred maintenance has driven larger emergency repairs. He said the department is seeking modest capital improvements such as gear lockers and kitchenette upgrades to improve safety and equipment hygiene.

Councilors pressed for details on overtime and shift‑coverage mechanics; Guinara said two officers staff each shift and that some overtime reflects uncontrollable shift coverage and emergency callbacks. Town staff said injury‑related overtime is currently accommodated by townwide salary and insurance savings but acknowledged the budget line still carries the expense.

The council did not take formal votes on the department’s requests at the meeting; members thanked the chief for the presentation and discussed facility needs and the possibility of including capital items in future warrant articles. The town manager said bids will be solicited for prioritized repairs where feasible.