Fire and police representatives ask council to fund more staff, citing NFPA standards and improved recruitment

Union leaders from the fire and police departments used the May 5 work session to press for more staffing and for the city to continue periodic pay and staffing reviews.

Alex, president of IAFF Local 552, told the council the fire department runs about 22,000 calls per year on five stations, several of which operate engines with three personnel. "We're asking for more firefighters," Alex said, arguing the department should move toward four‑person engine companies to align with NFPA 1710 recommendations. The union estimated that fully staffing three substations at four persons would require roughly nine additional firefighters, while converting all engines to four‑person staffing across shifts would amount to about 18 positions in total.

A slide presentation summarized NFPA 1710 guidance, noting recommended initial alarm staffing and target response times and explaining why additional crew members improve firefighter safety and operational capability for structure and high‑rise fires.

Police representatives also addressed the council. Officer and OPBA representative TJ Scott and Sergeant Derek Fisher thanked council for recent pay increases and said those steps have aided recruitment and lateral hiring; the police department reported being near full strength with about 154 officers and only one vacancy. Fisher urged the council to continue both pay and staffing studies on a recurring basis so the departments remain competitive.

Council members asked about alternatives such as volunteers or part‑time staff; union and staff representatives said those approaches would not meet training and response requirements for a busy, urban department and that volunteers are better suited for low‑call rural departments.

Next steps: staff will include these staffing and pay discussions in budget conversations and explore phased approaches and fiscal timing during the coming weeks' budget reviews.