The City Council of Baltimore convened on May 29, 2025, to discuss the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, focusing on the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD). A significant portion of the meeting centered around staffing levels and vacancies within the fire department.

During the discussions, officials acknowledged ongoing challenges related to staffing vacancies. However, they expressed optimism about the department's ability to maintain essential services for citizens. The department has seen improvements month over month, particularly in fire suppression staffing, where they reported being overstaffed due to the current number of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) firefighter cadets.

The conversation highlighted a strategic shift in hiring practices. It was noted that the department has primarily been hiring EMT firefighters, leading to a reclassification of various job positions to better align with current staffing needs. This adjustment aims to address the low likelihood of filling other classifications, such as firefighter paramedics.

Looking ahead, the department anticipates upcoming retirements, particularly at the end of the fiscal year, which could further impact staffing levels. However, officials are confident that they will soon reach full staffing levels, with a class of 84 cadets set to graduate on June 9, 2025.

While there are still challenges in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) sector, the department has observed a positive trend in interest from potential recruits. Changes are being considered to enhance EMS staffing, although specific commitments were not made during the meeting.

In summary, the City Council hearing underscored the ongoing efforts to improve staffing within the BCFD, with a focus on adapting to current needs and preparing for future challenges. The department is optimistic about its trajectory, indicating a marked improvement from the previous year.