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Fire chief reports staffing gains, 6,474 calls and outreach wins in 2025 recap
Summary
Lima Fire Chief McDermott told council the department hired eight firefighters in 2025, completed more than 5,000 training hours, responded to 6,474 calls (4,568 EMS) and delivered community outreach including smoke detector installs and car-seat distributions.
Chief McDermott (speaker 7) gave the Lima Fire Department's 2025 operational recap, outlining personnel changes, training, community outreach and operational metrics. He said the department hired eight new firefighters, observed two resignations and five retirements, and promoted nine people across leadership ranks. "We responded to 6,474 calls in 2025. 4,568 of those were EMS calls," he told council and noted crews completed more than 5,000 training hours and 12 firefighters were enrolled in paramedic school, six of whom completed certification.
The chief also recounted community programs and grant work: more than 11,000 children received fire-safety education through visits and events, 149 smoke detectors were installed via a Red Cross partnership, 150 car seats were distributed, and the department pursued nearly $919,000 in grant funding to upgrade equipment. Councilors thanked the chief and staff for professionalism and training; Councilor Wilkerson (speaker 11) praised retention and culture, and Councilor Drake (speaker 10) recounted positive personal experiences with EMS response to elderly parents.
Councilors posed questions about staffing and community outreach; the mayor and members signaled support for continued investment in public-safety resources and asked for future updates as the strategic plan and design study proceed.
