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North East Fire Department asks town for more funding, cites 720 calls last year
Summary
During public comment May 27, 2026, North East Fire Department leaders asked the town for increased funding, saying current town support ($30,000) falls far short of response costs and noting a pending $4.3 million project and a $1.4 million apparatus on order.
William Streaker, president of the North East Fire Department, told the Town of North East board during public comment on May 27 that the volunteer department needs more town support to cover a rising operational load. "We received 720 calls last year; each call costs a minimum of $400," Streaker said, and added the department currently receives $30,000 annually from the town, an amount he said "barely covers the cost of the response calls." Streaker also said the company has more than $8 million in assets and about $3 million in liquid assets currently invested.
Deputy Chief Jeff Isaacs pressed the board for funding to purchase apparatuses the department needs. Isaacs said one vehicle is already on order with an estimated cost of $1.4 million and a three‑year lead time, with delivery expected in 2028. "We paid about $400,000 for a comparable vehicle in 2007," he said, illustrating rising equipment costs.
Kevin Kline, who oversees fundraising for the fire company, said local events and fundraising revenues are not sufficient to cover large equipment purchases and urged greater public awareness that the department relies heavily on volunteers. Kline explained most sizable grants in the fire service reimburse costs after a purchase rather than providing up‑front capital, limiting immediate grant utility for apparatus procurement.
Mayor Benson acknowledged the department's long history serving the town and suggested the town and the fire company adopt a structured process for annual budget requests and disbursements so the department's needs can be planned into future budgets. "There needs to be structure regarding the annual budget and disbursements," Benson said, asking that necessary information be provided earlier in the year.
No formal action was taken at the meeting; the fire company leaders said they will pursue grant opportunities and asked the board to consider higher annual support when next budgeting. The department also noted a June 1 stockholders meeting to consider approval of a proposed $4.3 million structure at Theodore Road and Route 274.
