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Red Bank fire chief seeks $169,854 increase for FY27 to shore up staffing, equipment and training
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Summary
Fire Chief Tyler presented a FY27 request that holds off on new full‑time hires but adds $130,078 (8.6%) for personnel, budgets part‑time coverage to reduce overtime, and asks for capital replacements including hose and a compact rescue tool; the total department increase is $169,854 (8.6%).
Fire Chief Tyler told the commission the Red Bank Fire Department will keep its current 24/7 service model while prioritizing staffing reliability, firefighter safety and equipment replacement in the FY27 proposal.
Tyler said the department currently counts 43 members — 15 full‑time, 21 paid part‑time and seven volunteers — and is not requesting new full‑time positions for FY27. "Our current staffing model is 4 full time firefighters on duty daily and a part time firefighter on duty," Tyler said, adding that the long‑term goal is to staff seven full‑time firefighters on duty to reduce reliance on overtime.
The chief outlined personnel cost drivers and asked for a $130,078 personnel budget increase (an 8.6% adjustment) to reflect COLA, targeted market adjustments for lieutenants and drivers/pump operators, and a higher employer retirement contribution. He said formal budgeting of part‑time personnel (13,490 funded hours) will replace previously unfunded overtime and estimated that the part‑time budgeting saves roughly $85,000 in overtime costs.
Tyler also described operational and equipment needs: reclassification of some short‑life capital items to operations for better transparency; increased training funding (including replacement mannequins and training props); replacement of aging flashlights and batteries; and planned hose replacement as part of a multi‑year program. He requested funding for a compact rescue "mini ram" to improve vehicle extrication in tighter modern vehicles.
On capital and debt service, the chief noted a $9,281 increase in debt service tied to vehicle replacement planning and asked commissioners to support the department's maintenance and replacement schedule without adding new full‑time headcount.
Commissioners asked questions about Kelly days (a scheduled off day to control overtime exposure), the proposed increase in part‑time wages from $19.13 to $19.95 an hour, and the city's plans to apply for a Tennessee American Water Fund grant to offset hydrant valve replacement; Tyler confirmed intent to apply for grants to offset specific capital costs.
The chief summarized the proposal as a "measured and responsible investment" focused on sustaining services, improving safety and maintaining operational reliability. No formal vote was taken at the workshop.
