Pasadena Fire Department Seeks Major Budget Increase Following Eaton Fire Response

Pasadena’s Fire Department is requesting a 10.6% budget increase to $77 million for fiscal year 2026, citing increased emergency response needs highlighted by the devastating Eaton Fire and growing service demands across the city.

The proposed $7.35 million increase would fund critical personnel additions, including a new Fire Battalion Chief position costing $159,728, and enhanced equipment purchases.

Fire officials told city leaders the department responded to 20,854 emergency calls in 2024 and played a crucial role in the Eaton Fire response and “saved countless lives and property.”

The new Battalion Chief position would address a critical staffing gap, the department said, citing its current 1:10 supervisor-to-subordinate ratio and industry best practice calling for 1:5.

The department also assisted in 36 statewide wildland deployments over 419 days last year.

“The Department recognizes the City’s funding limitations in the General Fund, and will continue to identify additional and alternative revenue sources as we grow the department and serve the needs of the community,” fire officials stated in their budget presentation.

The fire department’s growth contrasts sharply with the Public Health Department, which faces a 9.6% budget reduction to $19.5 million due to federal grant funding losses. Thirteen grants totaling $2.4 million will sunset by fiscal year-end 2025, forcing elimination of 16.42 full-time positions.

The funding crisis intensified after a temporary restraining order paused grant funding termination that went into effect March 24. Public Health officials warned that the federal administration’s conceptual budget proposes additional cuts that may impact programs in fiscal year 2026.

The Finance Committee and City Council will hold final budget deliberations Monday, June 9 at 3:30 p.m. in the Pasadena City Council Chamber, Room S249 at City Hall, 100 North Garfield Avenue.

Residents can attend in person or watch the live stream at pasadena.granicus.com/mediaplayer.php or www.pasadenamedia.org. Public comments can be submitted online at www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/public-comment/ or by calling the City Clerk’s Office at (626) 744-4124.