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Fire chief seeks modest growth, new engines and station work; opioid-funded crisis position paused for legal review
Summary
Fire Chief Bossman presented a 2027 budget with a roughly 4.65% general-fund increase, nine new sworn positions, a $3.5M fleet replacement plan, and plans for Station 70 construction; the law department said a proposed crisis support specialist funded by opioid settlement proceeds is on hold pending review of allowable uses.
Fire Chief Bossman told the council the department expects a 4.65% general-fund growth rate in the 2027 budget, an authorized strength of 687 sworn personnel and 8 civilians, and added nine sworn positions that the chief said will reduce overtime and improve firefighter health outcomes.
Bossman highlighted capital and training priorities, including a $3,500,000 allocation in the CIP to replace three fire engines and three medic units, a planned replacement of the live-fire training Connex containers, and $160,000 to replace an aging smoke-simulation system in the training tower. Construction of Fire Station 70 is scheduled to begin in spring 2027 with an anticipated early-2028 opening.
Council members asked about notable line-item declines in the Fire Investigation and Fire Safety Bureau budgets; Bossman said personnel were not eliminated but positions were reallocated and he pledged to provide line-item explanations. On the proposed crisis support specialist position funded by opioid settlement funds, the law department advised caution: Matt Cousy said he placed a hold on hiring until the department confirms the proposed use complies with settlement conditions so the funds cannot be jeopardized.
Why it matters: fire staffing, training, station openings and grant decisions affect emergency response capacity and community-level health and safety.
