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Hudson Fire/EMS chief outlines hiring, training and senior-care concerns
Summary
Fire Chief Barnes told council the department is hiring 12 staff, is expanding cross-training and emphasized that seniors drive a large share of EMS calls; council questioned whether greater cross-department EMS staffing could address call volumes and station coverage.
Chief Barnes presented Fire/EMS data and staffing plans during the council workshop, emphasizing personnel, training and the operational model for keeping fire and EMS coverage in the city.
Barnes said the department is hiring 12 people to help fill nighttime staffing and expand cross-training. "We've got those 12 people that are gonna help us fill that nighttime...we're gonna have that swearing in ceremony," Barnes said. He described a hybrid staffing model in which fire and EMS remain separate but cross-trained personnel provide flexibility; he noted operational constraints (if fire personnel are on an EMS call, another crew is needed to staff a fire truck).
Barnes highlighted training totals (he cited large annual training hours) and said about 46% of EMS calls come from senior-care facilities in recent data he reviewed. He and council discussed compiling census information for senior-care facilities and whether identifying individual facilities on the public record was appropriate; Barnes said he has the data and would share it with council.
Council members questioned whether cross-training could be used more aggressively to meet EMS volume. Barnes responded that cross-training requires minimum EMS hours and that separating fire and EMS staffing provides mutual-aid and continuity benefits; he said the city is actively encouraging existing hires to complete EMS/paramedic certifications where feasible.
The workshop produced no personnel votes; Barnes said the hiring and cross-training steps are underway and that staff will provide requested details (facility census and implementation timeline) for council follow-up.
