During the recent City of Palm Coast Council Workshop Meeting, discussions centered on the fire department's staffing and operational challenges, particularly regarding overtime costs and the impact of new fire stations on community safety and insurance rates.

The fire department is currently evaluating its personnel needs in light of increasing overtime demands. Officials noted that while overtime has been necessary, they are managing to stay within their personnel services budget. The department has experienced a key staff loss, which has contributed to the need for mandatory overtime. Despite these challenges, the department believes it has reached an optimal staffing level for the time being and does not plan to request additional firefighting staff for the upcoming fiscal year.

A significant point of discussion was the addition of new fire station 22, located in the Seminole Woods area, which is expected to serve over 700 occupied homes. The fire department highlighted the importance of this new station in maintaining a high Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating of 2, which can lead to substantial savings for homeowners on insurance premiums. Estimates suggest that the fire services provided could save residents upwards of $40 million annually in insurance costs, emphasizing the economic benefits of effective fire protection.

The meeting also addressed the increasing call volume for fire services, which has surpassed 17,000 calls in recent years. This surge has made it more challenging to manage collateral duties with existing personnel, further driving the overtime issue. The department is committed to collaborating with local partners to enhance service delivery and ensure community safety.

In conclusion, the discussions at the workshop underscored the fire department's proactive approach to managing staffing and operational challenges while emphasizing the critical role of new infrastructure in supporting community safety and economic well-being. As the city prepares for the next budget year, the focus will remain on optimizing resources and maintaining high service standards for residents.