Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Longtime firefighter says volunteer shortfall means Ludlow should hire paid staff
Summary
Van Collins, a four-decade member of the Ludlow Fire Department, told council the department needs to 'evolve' and asked the city to hire paid staff because volunteers are insufficient to maintain protection levels.
Van Collins, who said he has served with the Ludlow Fire Department for more than 40 years, told the council the department needs to modernize and add paid positions to maintain adequate emergency response.
"I believe the fire department needs to evolve like the departments in other local cities," Collins said, citing a lack of available volunteers and asking the city to hire additional paid staff so residents receive the level of protection they deserve.
The council discussed fire and EMS staffing only as part of the broader budget debate; Councilmember Meagan Guthrie separately proposed adding three full-time paramedics beginning July 1, 2026, but council did not adopt that change during the June 29 session.
