Staffing continues to challenge Richmond Fire Department.
Chief Jeff Kinder told Richmond Common Council members that RFD has 11 openings among its 85 budgeted positions, and five members are scheduled to retire this year. He provided council with a departmental review during the March 17 meeting.
The staffing shortage creates problems managing overtime. Fire department members face mandatory overtime that wears them down. Kinder said that and pay are reasons that members provide for burnout and leaving the department during exit interviews. The base firefighter salary this year is $56,500.31.
In the past five years, 42 members have left the department, including 19 through retirements. That’s left the department with 35 members having less than four years of experience. Just in 2024, 13 members were hired, and Kinder said seven candidates were in the hiring process.
The shortage has a monetary cost, too. Kinder said the department is spending more than $100,000 a month in overtime. It has spent more than $1 million on overtime each of the past five years, averaging $1,244,439.47 per year, and Kinder said the department is on pace to spend more than $1.2 million this year. Part-time help alleviates some of the overtime; however, part-time members are limited in the hours they can work.
“We’ve got to figure out the best way out of it and what’s best for the city of Richmond and Richmond Fire Department,” Kinder said.
Last year, the department handled 11,316 runs, including 8,814 EMS runs that resulted in 7,221 emergency transports. In addition, the department performed 1,593 non-emergency transports. Kinder said the department averages collecting $411.10 per transport.
The billing rates were established in 2011, but changes in the law permit charging more. Kinder said increasing the charges is long overdue and in progress.
Smith Hill bonds
Two ordinances were presented to council about the Smith Hill Subdivision planned for land south of Backmeyer Road between South 37th Street and Garwood Road. Both were assigned to council’s finance committee.
The first ordinance would establish an economic development target area for the land Smith Hill will occupy. That enables the increase in property taxes to be captured for use in paying off bonds that the second ordinance issues.
The Indiana Finance Authority has awarded Richmond $4.33 million in residential infrastructure funding through bonds. That money matches an expected $4.33 million award from the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative. The 20-year bonds will have an interest rate of about 3%, with payments beginning at $67,000 and increasing to $446,000.
The Economic Development Commission will have a public hearing at 6 p.m. April 7, then the ordinance will return to council at 7 p.m. April 7 for second reading, which also includes a public hearing.
Other actions
- Council unanimously approved doubling fees for security alarm permits. The two-year permits have cost $10 for more than two decades but will now cost $20. An additional $10 will be charged if the renewal is 15 days delinquent.
- The Depot District received council approval to expand operating hours for its designated outdoor refreshment area, making acceptable hours noon to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Jane Bumbalough voted against the ordinance, saying it was due to her conscience for people who struggle with alcohol addiction.
- The ordinance requiring pet owners to purchase registration tags and provide proof of rabies vaccination by a licensed veterinarian before paying animal-related fines was passed unanimously.
A version of this article appeared in the March 26 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.