Fire Department Staffing to Expand After Budget Adjustment Get Council Thumbs Up

[photo credit: City of Pasadena]

The Pasadena City Council approved a budget amendment to add two new 24-hour shift Battalion Chief positions to the Fire Department, completing a strategic goal of having two Battalion Chiefs on each of the city’s three fire shifts.

The proposal appropriates $500,000 in General Fund revenue and authorizes two new full time employees. The six-month staffing and operations cost is estimated at $480,000, with an additional $220,000 for a second command vehicle.

City finance staff will cover costs through a budget surplus, redirected funds from unfilled Paramedic Intern positions, and projected Emergency Medical Services transport revenue. The Fire Department’s long-term plan requires approximately $1.3 million annually to maintain these positions.

Other key consent calendar items included:

Delegating subdivision agreement approvals to the City Manager, allowing faster processing of development-related contracts and performance guarantees.
Approving the sale of 17 vacant residential properties acquired from CalTrans along the defunct State Route 710 corridor. The sale proceeds will fund affordable housing, with the city required to finance 51 affordable housing units by December 31, 2026.
Adopting a new Fire Hazard Severity Zone map that expands high-risk fire parcels from 3,911 to 4,610 properties. The map affects areas in the Arroyo Seco, neighborhoods near the 210 Freeway, and upper Hastings Ranch, though no new regulatory requirements will be triggered.
Allocating $150,000 in grants to three nonprofit organizations: Stars: Illuminate, Education, Advocate (trauma counseling); Families Forward Learning Center (mental health services); and Outward Bound Adventures (youth environmental education).
Approving a $400,000 three-year contract with Childs Designs to manage the city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit Loan Program. The program aims to complete 20 ADUs, helping homeowners create affordable rental units for Section 8 voucher holders.