1818 S. Fresno Ave. — Approximate Stockton Street View Frame
Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi is urging the city council to approve a $60,000 incentive plan aimed at filling critical Fire Engineer vacancies she says are keeping fire trucks parked when crews are short-staffed. The proposal would offer a $15,000 temporary bonus to firefighters who test into the Fire Engineer role, a position responsible for driving the fire truck and operating its water pump on scene.
As reported by KCRA, the fire engineer shortage means that when a station’s engineer is unavailable or out sick, a truck can be left unable to respond at all, even if the rest of the crew is present. Fugazi said the goal is straightforward: every truck in Stockton should be able to roll out and fully operate. The mayor also said the pay gap between firefighter and fire engineer pay is minimal, which she believes has discouraged more firefighters from testing into the specialized role, and that the city is financially positioned to offer the incentive.
Four Vacancies, One Contractual Fix
City documents have been cited in connection with the proposal, which would offer an incentive to help fill Fire Engineer vacancies. The plan would run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028…