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Fire chief urges modest hires, cites $2 million grant and equipment needs
Summary
The fire department presented its FY26-27 budget, citing a $2 million USDA grant to help reimburse a ladder truck, requesting up to three new hires (with a SAFER grant application pending), and proposing cuts to capital spending while keeping essential training and hazmat priorities.
The fire department presented its proposed fiscal 2026-27 budget and asked the commission for targeted staffing and equipment support. The department said it had secured grants and donations but still faces higher operating costs and a personnel shortfall.
The department representative said the agency had been accepted for a USDA grant of $2,000,000 "to help reimburse the fire ladder truck and get us a new engine," and noted additional funding from partnerships and grants, including an FM Global grant for iPads and a donation from the women's club to purchase protective hoods. The presenter described recent achievements, including updating standard operating guidelines and the inspector John Silva completing required training and EMR certification.
Why it matters: the fire department argued that new and specialized training, hazmat-capable equipment and additional personnel are essential to maintain response capacity, even as the city faces tight overall budgets.
The chief outlined priorities for the coming year: expand the hazmat team, upgrade training props and burn-building facilities, restructure memoranda of understanding with industrial partners to secure training and funds, and seek specialized grants. The department proposed adding up to three personnel (one per shift) and is reapplying for the federal SAFER grant, which, if awarded, would fund three positions for three years. On capital, the department proposed reducing its capital budget from about $228,000 last year to $100,000 in FY27 to return approximately $128,000 to the city while preserving critical CIP work.
Commissioners pressed for details about a scholarship/stipend program intended to help recruit and train employees. The presenter said the program had mixed results and requested $2,500 to cover one prospective recruit's EMT tuition; commissioners asked that staff consult human resources and return with options, including reimbursement-based designs or discontinuing the program.
On staffing levels the department said it currently has roughly 24 field personnel plus command staff and support positions (about 29 authorized positions overall) and reported one firefighter vacancy; three testing dates are scheduled next week to fill openings. The presentation included contract updates (a Georgia Pacific retainer and a $25,000 hazmat contribution) and year-to-date fire-prevention revenue of about $55,519 for plan review and inspections.
Next steps: the city manager will fold department requests into budget scenarios for the commission's July 23 meeting, when the commission will consider the fire assessment and set the maximum millage. No formal action on the fire budget was taken during the workshop.
