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Fire and EMS urge equipment upgrades, warn volunteer staffing is tight
Summary
Fire Chief Tyler Barakco and EMS leaders told the committee volunteer recruitment remains a challenge while capital needs—SCBA packs/masks, turnout gear, battery extrication tools and a compact quick‑response rescue vehicle—were presented along with a proposal to pursue grant funding for SCBA.
Fire leadership and EMS representatives used the Feb. 18 workshop to flag growing capital needs and continuing volunteer‑staffing challenges. Fire Chief Tyler Barakco described an uptick in younger volunteers and returning experienced members but said the department remains short staffed overall and must plan equipment purchases accordingly.
The fire department outlined major capital priorities: SCBA pack and mask replacement (department pursuing grant assistance that, if awarded, would require a local match), replacement of several sets of turnout gear nearing end‑of‑life, additional battery‑operated extrication tools and two additional battery ventilation fans, and replacement or refurbishment of aging apparatus components (including tanker motorized dump tank and ladder truck maintenance). Chief Barakco estimated prices and asked the committee to consider phased purchases; he said an existing capital allocation helped fund phase‑one battery equipment but full conversion will require additional funds.
EMS leadership (speaker identified in the transcript as Martha) described recruitment progress at the cadet level (16 cadets with six new EMTs who are under 18 and not yet full riders) and rising medical‑supply costs; she asked for run/spillman reports so the department and committee could better understand transport volumes and use patterns. The committee discussed grant options, the potential for billing/transport revenue models, and directed staff to supply call data and continue pursuing federal/state grants for firefighting and EMS equipment.
No capital approvals were adopted at the workshop; the chiefs and staff will continue to pursue grants and return with more refined cost estimates and possible phased capital requests.
