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Fire chief reports new national reporting system, first‑quarter runs at about 4,500 and flags staffing limits
Summary
Fire Chief Chad Johnston told the committee that Portland adopted the revamped national NFIRS reporting platform on Jan. 1; the fire department recorded about 4,500 runs in the first quarter and noted that authorized FTEs have remained roughly stable while workload has risen.
Fire Chief Chad Johnston presented the department’s quarterly public‑safety update and explained that Portland switched to an updated, nationwide reporting system derived from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) on Jan. 1, making short‑term comparisons with prior years difficult.
Johnston said the department recorded about 4,500 runs in the first quarter of the year and that seasonal patterns typically raise calls in Q2 and Q3. He described the department’s reporting breakdown (citywide calls, fire companies, specialty companies such as airport/marine/heavy rescue, and transports) and noted historic trends showing a steady rise in call volume over decades.
The chief reviewed staffing metrics: long‑range authorized FTE counts have changed little over decades, while workload has grown; the number of daily staffed seats has fluctuated (he said it dipped to about 45 in 2010 and currently sits in the mid‑40s), and he warned there is limited additional efficiency remaining to absorb future workload increases without changes to resources.
Johnston also described C9 (the paramedic fly‑car) as a centrally based paramedic lieutenant who augments ambulances and brings a senior paramedic to complicated calls.
Next steps: Chief Johnston said staff will continue to validate reporting as the new system settles, confirm run capture across dispatch and CAD systems, and track quarterly targets going forward.
