Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fire chief seeks new assistant chief and more full‑time firefighters as department professionalizes
Summary
Fire Chief Chris described an organizational overhaul as the town consolidates five volunteer companies into a municipal department; the budget requests an assistant chief and additional full‑time staff, with a goal of reaching eight firefighters per platoon in FY27.
Chris opened the Fire Services FY27 presentation by describing the department’s transition from five independent volunteer companies toward a single municipal fire department. He said the request funds an assistant chief position (previously authorized but not budgeted) and several full‑time firefighter slots. "We're kind of building the plane as we fly it," he said, calling the work a mix of day‑to‑day operations and organizational restructuring.
On staffing, Chris said the department will be at seven firefighters per platoon by Friday and that the FY27 request would raise that level to eight per platoon across three platoons (24 full‑time firefighters). He acknowledged the budget is the largest increase of any department this cycle but emphasized the need to create a sustainable, professional organization with improved scheduling, tracking and training. The board and chief also discussed relationships with the independent Waterford Ambulance Service; the department remains the town's first responder while ambulance transport is provided under a separate agreement.
