Analysis suggests Phoenix needs more firefighters, would cost $30M to hire

PHOENIX — An analysis given to the Phoenix City Council showed that the city’s fire department is understaffed.

To achieve a responder-to-resident ratio of 1:1000, the fire industry standard, Phoenix would need to hire 138 sworn-in firefighters.

The analysis of the fire department found that ambulance rescue personnel were being added to the responder ratio but should be excluded since they are not considered primary response support.

The city would also need to hire an additional 28 individuals to the civilian positions in order to satisfy the sworn-to-civilian ratio.

With the addition of Fire Station 55, the number of stations in the Phoenix area was sufficient to accommodate the staff increases. But, as population grows, more stations will be required.

The total estimated cost was $30 million, $4 million of which would be a one-time cost for new apparatus and equipment.

The remaining $26 million would go toward sworn and civilian positions. Expenses were based on recent budget reports.

To generate the $30 million needed, city legislators may look to increase tax revenues that could entail a 0.1 percent city sales tax increase, a 1.2 percent food tax hike or some combination of the two.

The report was requested after a similar analysis recommended that the city hire additional police officers.