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Fire chief reports modest volunteer gains, expanded inspections and updated reporting system
Summary
Fire Chief Rivera told the Public Safety Committee the department saw a net gain of one volunteer, increased inspections and new cloud-based reporting that improved field documentation; he flagged continued focus on recruitment, training and an upcoming apparatus plan.
Fire Chief Rivera told the Monroe Public Safety Committee on March 9 that the department made modest staffing gains and improved its inspection and reporting processes while continuing to prioritize recruitment and training. "We lost 2. We gained 3. So we had a net 1," Rivera said when summarizing volunteer staffing changes.
The chief framed the annual report as both a record of accomplishments and a work plan: the department has revised how it presents staff tenure, completed roughly 1,600 hours of training, and implemented a cloud-based inspection and incident reporting system last year that he said has reduced administrative time and improved access to inspection results. Rivera said EMS accounted for roughly 59% of the department’s runs and that, on the fire side, about 150 calls were coded as fire-related while 215 were EMS-coded.
Why it matters: Rivera told alder members the new software lets administrators view inspectors’ notes remotely, which the department expects will allow better identification of recurring hazards and more targeted prevention materials once a full year of data is available.
Rivera also described a recruitment partnership with a private firm, Colony Brands, that helped redesign the department’s applicant outreach and interview process. He said the department narrowed about 50 online applicants to a smaller pool of fully completed city applications, interviewed a subset and ultimately extended conditional offers; two candidates dropped out during pre-employment checks and three remained active and productive. "Quality, quality, quality," Rivera said of the effort to attract applicants who have the time and commitment to serve.
The chief reported more than 1,000 code violations identified during inspections (many minor fixes such as exit lights or extension cords) and said increased inspection rigor accounted for the higher violation count. He noted community-risk‑reduction work and special-event planning rose substantially (more than 500 hours invested, a 56% increase over the prior year).
On apparatus and equipment, Rivera said the department sold Engine 3 and Car 12 and is preparing Car 11 for sale; he expects a final apparatus plan to return to the committee in late spring or early summer to inform long‑range equipment decisions. He confirmed vehicle sale proceeds go to the city's general fund.
Alders pressed for clarity about paid versus volunteer roles; Rivera explained volunteers are paid for calls, trainings and events but the city currently staffs two full‑time department employees (an increase of one from the prior year). He described a recently hired deputy chief who will devote substantial time to inspections and prevention work.
The committee thanked Rivera for the report; no formal actions on policy or budget were taken at the meeting. The department said it will continue to focus on executing the strategic plan and sustaining recruitment gains into 2026.
