City Council’s continued review of the proposed 2027 budget last week highlighted the challenges of expanding fire and emergency medical services while balancing the city’s financial obligations.
During Wednesday’s committee of the whole meeting, council members examined the fire department’s staffing levels, rising emergency medical calls and the potential cost of adding firefighters and ambulances.
The city’s proposed budget funds 102 fire suppression positions, with salaries totaling approximately $8.67 million.
Council President Donna Reed questioned whether that staffing level was sufficient, prompting a discussion of national firefighting standards and the challenges of responding to emergencies in a densely populated city with numerous high-rise buildings.
City Managing Director Jack Gombach said a study commissioned by the firefighters union recommended staffing fire apparatus with four firefighters rather than the two currently assigned.
“That’s something that we’re actively discussing with the firefighters’ union now, as part of contract negotiations,” Gombach said.
Increasing staffing, however, would have to be weighed against available revenue and the city’s pension obligations, he said.
“It’s been a goal for me to grow our police department and our fire department,” Gombach said. “It’s about how do we do it in a way that is responsible to our city finances, our pension obligations, in a way that makes sense.”
Reed expressed support for increasing the number of firefighters, citing recent fires, including one on North Ninth Street that displaced about 20 residents.
“I’d certainly be willing to consider whatever needs to be done to increase those numbers,” she said.
Councilman Jaime Baez Jr. agreed that staffing needs will grow as the city grows but emphasized the importance of maintaining long-term financial stability.
EMS services
The discussion also turned to the increasing demands on the city’s emergency medical services.
Fire officials said EMS calls have steadily increased over the past five years, with Reading ambulances increasingly providing mutual aid to surrounding communities, including Exeter Township and the Western Berks area.
At times, officials said, city ambulances are tied up responding outside Reading or transporting patients to hospitals, leaving fewer units available for emergencies within the city.
Adding another ambulance could help meet the demand, but staffing it would require eight additional employees if the department were otherwise fully staffed. Accounting for existing vacancies and coverage needs, officials estimated approximately 20 additional employees would be necessary.
The proposed EMS budget includes approximately $2.86 million in salaries.
Finance Director Joseph Famiglietti said the city is maintaining its projected EMS user-fee revenue at $4 million, despite collections that appear likely to exceed expectations.
He said the conservative estimate reflects fluctuations in revenue over previous years.
Other adjustments include increasing the fire suppression fuel budget from $95,000 to $125,000 and the EMS fuel budget from $65,000 to $75,000.
The proposed EMS budget also increases medical and surgical supplies from $100,000 to $115,500, while medical dispatch expenses are projected at $233,134, reflecting an anticipated 3.5% increase.
Famiglietti said the administration has also reclassified numerous expenses to better reflect how money is spent across the fire department’s divisions.
Gombach cautioned that ongoing contract negotiations with the firefighters union could result in additional changes to the proposed budget.
“Some of these numbers may tweak a little as we bring it to a close over the next couple of weeks,” he said.
Famiglietti said he would provide council with a summary of any resulting adjustments.
Council also briefly reviewed the Reading Public Library’s budget and staffing.
Library representatives said the system employs approximately 46 people, including nine city-funded employees based at the main library. The remaining positions are supported through the library’s budget, which draws funding from state, Berks County and city sources, as well as donations and fundraising.
Councilman O. Christopher Miller also asked about the replacement of the main library’s elevator.
Famiglietti said the project was funded through federal American Rescue Plan Act money allocated for improvements to public properties.
Council will continue reviewing departmental spending proposals in the coming weeks, with a public hearing scheduled for Oct. 28 at 5 p.m.
Under the city’s Home Rule Charter, council must adopt the 2027 budget by Dec. 15 or the mayor’s original proposed balanced budget will automatically take effect.