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Fire Rescue details SAFER grant hires, new stations and rising ambulance costs
Summary
David Kilberry said fire rescue secured a $7.5M SAFER grant to add roughly 35 firefighters, has added stations and ambulances, and warned ambulance and engine costs have roughly doubled since 2020, pressuring capital budgets.
David Kilberry, Public Safety director presenting for Fire Rescue, reviewed construction and operational accomplishments, grant awards and capital needs. He said the department brought in about $8.6M in grants, including a $7.5M SAFER award that funded roughly 35 positions and allowed staff increases on engines and ambulances.
Kilberry highlighted that ambulance costs have risen from about $250,000 in 2020 to over $500,000 in 2026 and that a fully equipped engine now approaches $1.1M, stressing supply chain and backlog issues that lengthen delivery to two or more years. “In 2020, we were able to buy an ambulance, fully equipped for about a $250,000...Today, in 2026, it's over $500,000,” Kilberry said as he explained capital pressure and plans to add a hub concept for improved ambulance staging.
