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Fire department emphasizes EMS workload, FEMA reimbursement and multi‑year SCBA replacement
Summary
Fire department leadership said about 64% of emergency responses are rescue/EMS calls and described capital requests including a multi‑year SCBA replacement project; staff said the city expects a little over $3 million from FEMA for a January 2024 storm and will consider setting aside funds.
A fire department presentation outlined department staffing, operations and capital priorities. The speaker said the department averages about 7,000 calls a year and that a majority are medical/rescue responses rather than structural fires; he noted Newport is one of two county departments providing paramedic‑level services.
On capital needs, the chief said the department is beginning a scheduled multi‑year replacement of self‑contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) that is expected to be a roughly $1,000,000 project with a city request of $250,000 this year. He also noted ongoing fire hose replacement and station‑level maintenance requests.
The chief told the council the city is "poised to bring in about $3,000,000, a little over $3,000,000 for the city" from FEMA for storm‑related damages and that a resolution would be considered to create an account for those funds. He also described the situation table and warming center planning, saying partners took over operations last winter and staff will reconvene to plan next season.
Recruitment and a shift schedule change (implementation of 24‑hour shifts under a new contract) were discussed; staff said morale and retention have improved following the contract changes.
