Page 276 - City of Bedford FY20 Approved Budget

FIRE

TOTAL EXPENDITURES
$8,306,028

ACTUAL BUDGET BASE REQUESTS BUDGET
DIVISION/FUND
17/18 18/19 19/20 19/20 19/20
Administration 709,006 745,518 745,120 5,581 750,701

Operations 7,258,197 7,166,325 7,144,716 410,611 7,555,327
TOTAL $7,967,203 $7,911,843 $7,889,836 $ 416,192 $8,306,028

Future Budget Considerations

The Fire Department budget will continue to focus on the highest priority challenges, including increasing demand for services,
aging infrastructure and employee readiness and training. The Department has experienced a steady increase in calls–for- service
over the past ten years, with one of the highest call volumes in Tarrant County. The sharpest increase has occurred with Emergency
Medical Services. Last year, the Department experienced a 9% increase in EMS call types. Three new full-time equivalent positions
were authorized within the Department last year. This was in support of enabling an additional emergency responding unit called
EMS 15. EMS 15 is an additional unit that responds to lower priority medical calls for service and supports other medical units in the
field which is currently running if staff allows. The unit’s purpose is to help meet the increased demand for service at the lowest
possible cost. In order to best facilitate this implementation, a specialized vehicle should be considered to improve the effectiveness
of this unit.

The Department’s infrastructure is aging. All three fire stations need significant repairs, improvements, and expansions. Fire and EMS
service demands are different today than when the stations were constructed. Technology, service demands, and capacity needs
have changed significantly in the past 30 years. BFD stations lack required safety equipment, appropriate restroom capacity and
living accommodations. Additionally, there are inadequate work stations and maintenance facilities.

Employee readiness and training needs continue to present significant concerns and challenges. The common byproducts of
combustion create dangerous, cancer-causing soot. Steps must be taken to implement best practices to deliver services without
excessive risk. This will include an on-going, strategic PPE purchase and maintenance program. Employee readiness also includes
training and drill. The Department currently has no live fire training / drill facility. Personnel currently only have access to TCC
facilities for this purpose. This simply does not adequately meet the needs of the Department. The Department will pursue a live-fire
training building to enable crews to train, drill, and practice within the City.

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