Fire chief: call volume up 41% since 2020; department flags high‑rise staffing gap and inspection backlog

Chief Moody told the council that the Ithaca Fire Department responded to more than 6,000 calls in 2025 — a roughly 41% increase from 2020 — and that the department is using strategic planning to prepare for continued growth in call volume and high‑rise development.

"In 2025, for the first time ever, we broke the record of over 6,000 calls," he said, then explained that the combination of higher call volumes, vertical development and limited staffing creates operational risk. He cited NFPA guidance that suggests an assembled firefighting force for a working high‑rise should be about 43 personnel, while Ithaca’s minimum on‑duty staffing is 11.

Moody also said the Fire Prevention Bureau is behind on inspections — roughly 200 inspections delayed — which affects both safety and construction timelines for new buildings. He recommended three near‑term focus areas: evaluating operational staffing models for high‑rise response, assessing fire prevention staffing, and analyzing annual response data to maintain safe and effective operations.

Council members asked about mutual aid, whether the department could expand low‑level EMS response, and revenue from Cornell inspections. Moody said the department will trial changes to inspection participation with the state and weigh options like a longer‑term fire district to distribute costs and open additional grant opportunities.

Next steps: chief Moody will provide an itemized list of deferred capital and staffing needs, pursue grant funding where possible, and collaborate with council on any strategic planning that might include long‑range staffing increases or fleet additions.