The addition of two firefighter positions was a recommendation of the CityGate Fire Department Service Evaluation Report presented to City Council at the February 20, 2024 meeting. Approving these positions would complete step one of the 2024 recommended staffing changes. 

Another recommended staffing change in step one was the addition of three Fire Captains. This recommendation was considered and approved at the March 19, 2024 City Council meeting, and hiring is currently underway. The captain positions will be on a 24-hour shift schedule, and the possible addition of these two firefighter positions would increase full-time operational staffing to a total of three captains and six firefighter positions. 

The goal for this addition would allow for a minimum staffing of a four-person fire crew on each shift. There will be three rotating 24-hour shifts (A, B, C), each with a captain, two full-time firefighters, and one part-time firefighter. Without the addition of these two positions one shift would have one captain and two full-time firefighters, and the other two shifts would have one captain and one firefighter each, leaving a significant portion of each shift dependent on the availability of part-time staff. The addition of these two firefighters will provide consistent staffing on each shift and greatly reduce the potential of understaffed shifts.