FOUR-PERSON STAFFING
Thanks to the successful implementation of the SAFER Grant and the Arlington City Council’ s approval of an increase to the FY24 Operating Budget, the Arlington Fire Department has made significant strides toward achieving four-person staffing on all front line apparatus. As a result, the department has hired 62 new firefighter recruits and welcomed 15 certified firefighters to help meet this operational milestone.
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Four-person staffing, as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association, provides a wide range of benefits for both the department and the community:
• Increases firefighter safety with Rapid Intervention Crews( RIC).
• Allows for more units to be in service at one time, enhancing operational efficiency.
• Provides better coverage as Arlington continues to grow vertically with more multi-story buildings.
Four-person staffing has allowed the department to focus on key areas, including:
• Embracing GENERATIONAL CHANGE within the workforce to foster leadership and mentorship.
• TRAINING FOR THE FUTURE AND FOR GROWTH to ensure our firefighters are prepared for evolving hazards and service demands.
• ADVANCING THE PROGRESSION OF TECHNOLOGY to improve incident response and firefighter safety.
• LEVERAGING PARTNERSHIPS with local organizations and other agencies for resources and best practices.
• IMPROVING EXISTING PROCESSES for operational efficiency and accountability.
• SUSTAINING CURRENT TRADITIONS that define our department’ s identity while evolving to meet modern challenges.
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ARLINGTON FIRE ANNUAL REPORT 2024 7