(The Center Square) – The Spokane Fire Department is anticipating budget challenges ahead of 2026 that could impact service levels, with overtime costs currently 24% higher than last year.
Fire Chief Julie O’Berg told the Spokane City Council on Monday that her department may have as many as 20 vacancies by the end of the week. SFD has averaged eight to 15 every week this year, but she said it’s now rising due to a shallow relief pool after canceling the 2024 academy.
Spokane closed a $25 million deficit ahead of 2025, partially offset by $750,000 in savings from cutting last year’s recruit school. Now, overtime costs are compounding as people take medical leave and others retire, despite SFD cutting overtime costs by 6% last year compared to 2023…