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Temple to add battalion chiefs and fire drivers to split East/West coverage
Summary
Council approved a first reading to increase battalion chief positions by three (creating an East/West battalion split) and add three fire driver positions; Fire Chief Chris Perez said the change improves incident command and firefighter safety.
The council took the first reading on an ordinance amending position classifications within the Fire Department to add three battalion chief positions (bringing total to seven) and three fire driver positions (bringing total to 39). Tammy Fennell of People Operations presented the classification change, noting it was required under Chapter 143, and staff said the positions were funded in the FY26 budget.
Fire Chief Chris Perez said the change implements a second battalion response district to allow a battalion chief on both east and west sides of the city and to improve incident command and firefighter safety. "It is something that is very needed," Perez said, describing a division of the existing eight stations into east/west response districts. Council voted 5–0 to approve the item as presented (first reading).
