During a recent government meeting, officials outlined their priorities for the upcoming budget cycle, emphasizing the need to enhance emergency services to meet the growing demands of the community. The focus remains on maintaining a high level of service that residents, businesses, and visitors rely on.

Key discussions revolved around the evaluation of emergency response times, specifically the \"turnout time,\" which measures the duration from when a call is received to when emergency personnel are en route. The department has made significant strides in data management by partnering with Echo Data Analysis, allowing for real-time data access. This advancement enables officials to provide immediate answers regarding response times, a marked improvement from the previous reliance on outdated spreadsheets.

The proposed budget includes plans to increase staffing levels, with additional firefighters and promotional opportunities within the department. Since 2018, the fire department has experienced notable growth, including the establishment of a Basic Life Support (BLS) division and the introduction of advanced life support (ALS) ambulances, which will further enhance service capabilities.

Looking ahead, the department anticipates adding more firefighters in 2025, marking a significant milestone as it will be the first new fire resource introduced in decades. The fire chief noted that such an addition has not occurred since the 1960s, highlighting the importance of this development for the community's emergency response capabilities. The meeting concluded with a question from a council member, indicating ongoing engagement and interest in the department's progress and future plans.