The Framingham Fire Department presented its fiscal 2026 operating budget to the finance subcommittee on May 10, saying personnel costs account for roughly 94% of the department’s budget and that the remaining funds are dedicated to station energy, apparatus fuel, communications and personal protective equipment replacement.

Why it matters: Fire department payroll and equipment choices are central to response readiness. The department emphasized that most operating dollars are salaries and that gear and apparatus maintenance require targeted funding to maintain service levels across stations.

Presentation highlights: The department highlighted several nonpersonnel cost centers that consume a small share of the operating budget but are rising: apparatus fuel and vehicle repairs (diesel for frontline vehicles), specialized gear washing and building maintenance, communications equipment (including mobile data terminals in apparatus) and annual testing and maintenance for self‑contained breathing apparatus. The presenter said many of those lines are level‑funded to FY25 amounts plus market/contractual adjustments.

PFAS‑free gear shift: The fire department reported it has begun purchasing PFAS‑free turnout gear in advance of state timelines and that such gear is more costly than older models. The department said protecting firefighter health is a priority and that PFAS‑free gear purchases are increasing the gear‑replacement line item.

Emergency management and regional dispatch: The department’s emergency management budget showed no material changes; the presenter noted that pending regional dispatch consolidation and state grants will cover transition costs for early years and that the city will see capital‑infrastructure savings from regionalization while ongoing assessments will be phased in later years.

Staffing and vacancies: The department said it expects two vacancies that will be vacant for about six months in FY26 but that the overall FTE count will remain steady year‑to‑year. Councilors asked for a briefing to the full council on longer‑term capital needs and whether apparatus such as tower trucks are being considered as the city’s building stock and density change.

Ending: The subcommittee did not take any formal action on May 10. The fire chief said the department will continue to brief council leadership on capital planning and readiness issues.