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Fire chief defends incremental staffing increases, highlights ISO Class 1 status
Summary
Chief Vince said the department has been incrementally rebuilding from prior understaffing and that adding three positions this year would move the city closer to standard staffing levels; he noted the department holds an ISO Class 1 rating since 2019 and that aging apparatus are being replaced.
Chief Vince told the commission the department has been gradually restoring staffing after years of being understaffed and that adding three positions this year is a measured, responsible step toward meeting apparatus staffing standards. "We are a class 1 department," he said, noting that the department earned the ISO 1 rating in 2019 and that keeping that rating underpins insurance benefits for residents and businesses.
Commissioners asked for comparative metrics and for clarity about how shortfalls fluctuate day to day; the chief said daily staffing numbers vary because of leave and other absences and that while the department is far improved, it still needs incremental hires and equipment replacements (several apparatus are two to three decades old). Several commissioners said maintaining the ISO rating is a high priority and supported incremental hiring and capital replacement.
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