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Chief: Opening Station 134 would require about 15 firefighters and raise personnel costs by ~$2 million
Summary
Fire leadership estimated Station 134 would require 15 firefighters to staff three shifts (plus coverage) and projected personnel costs to open the station at about $1.9–$2.0 million annually; operating the building itself was estimated at roughly $40,000 per year (utilities/maintenance).
Chief Glenn Alcorn told the joint session that staffing — not the building — represents the largest ongoing expense for Station 134. He said the station would need 15 firefighters (12 for three shifts plus additional coverage for time off) and projected personnel costs around $1.9–$2.0 million, which includes salaries, benefits and pension costs.
Alcorn contrasted that personnel total with building operating costs, which he estimated at about $40,000 annually (utilities and maintenance) and emphasized the territory cannot rely on cash reserves to fully fund construction or ongoing operations. "I don't think it's a good idea to rely on cash reserves to build this firehouse," he said, adding that the territory must preserve reserve funds for equipment failures and other emergencies.
Officials asked whether the territory could access grants to hire personnel; Alcorn said grant opportunities for station construction are limited and that a prior grant application to hire firefighters was not awarded because of income metrics. The chief agreed to return with more detailed personnel cost breakdowns and potential grant strategies.
