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Indianola Fire Department reports staffing gains, rising EMS demand and a 24- to 30-month ambulance lead time
Summary
Chief Jason presented the fire department's 2025 annual report, citing staff promotions, increased EMS workload, training hours, grant-funded equipment purchases and a 24'2-month timeline to receive a replacement ambulance. The council praised grant success and community partnerships.
Fire Chief Jason told the Indianola City Council on April 20 that 2025 was a year of staffing changes, increased emergency-medical-service demand and investments funded in part by grants and community support.
Highlights from the chief's report included promotions and hires that filled captain and firefighter vacancies, expanded part-time ranks, and a staffing strategy intended to sustain daily operations despite pressure from call volume and equipment downtime. Chief Jason said the department responded to a concentrated share of calls within the city and that EMS accounted for roughly 80% of call volume.
Operational changes and impacts: staff reported that the department changed its response policy to attend all motor-vehicle crashes (rather than only those with personal injury), a shift that increased call volume but was intended to address hazards such as spilled fuel. Chief Jason also described extended unit turnaround times when ambulances wait at hospitals, and ongoing wear and maintenance issues that reduce equipment availability.
Training and prevention: the department completed nearly 4,000 training hours in 2025 (average just under 90 hours per member), carried out 110 inspections, 25 reinspections and 15 fire investigations, and led multi-agency training events. The chief emphasized community risk reduction work and partnerships with the Red Cross and other organizations.
Equipment and capital: the chief said a 2025 ambulance (Unit 247) reached the end of its service life and that a replacement now quoted at about $340,000 would likely take 24 to 30 months to arrive after an order is placed. The department also completed an apparatus-bay drain reconstruction and overhead-door replacements to improve daily readiness. Grant funds and community donations covered some training and equipment costs, and $4,000 raised at a pancake breakfast purchased neonate transport systems for infant patient care.
Council response: members praised the department's grant work and community engagement, and noted partnerships with regional training and prevention programs. Council said they expect the department and staff to return with further detail as procurement and capital timelines progress.
Ending: The council thanked the chief for the presentation and scheduled commendations at a future meeting for personnel credited with saving a life through bystander CPR.
