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THE VICTORIA RECORDER

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City Council Workshop - Oct 13 2025

Sunday, October 12, 2025

Victoria Fire Department staffing model update

Expansion of duty crew model to increase service efficiency

Adjustment of shift requirements and firefighter roles

Impact of community engagement on duty crew availability

Data-driven scheduling based on peak call volume

Transitioning from all-call to scheduled duty crew shifts

Fire station construction progress and utilization

Areas of Interest (5)

  • Victoria Fire Department is shifting away from a traditional 'all-call' system toward a scheduled 'duty crew' model to improve response times.
  • Proposed staffing changes aim to mitigate recent spikes in canceled duty shifts by creating a new 60-hour-per-quarter role.
  • Fire Chief cites an increasing call volume and an aging population as primary drivers for department growth and staffing model evolution.
  • Council expresses unanimous, informal support for the shift, highlighting improved predictability for volunteer firefighters.
  • The department is balancing cultural shifts within the fire service while managing current hiring processes to fill remaining gaps.

Votes (1)

Adjourn the workshop

PassedVoice vote (unanimous)

Moved by Unspecified · Seconded by Unspecified

Notable Quotes (3)

duty crew shifts average 5 minutes and 15 seconds from page to apparatus on scene as opposed to when we're working in just a duty crew or an all call operation mode of 7 minutes and 43 seconds.

— Dave Shoger
Operational efficiencyComparing response time metrics.

I believe that as we continue to move this year, we're in the middle of a hiring process currently and I believe we'll probably bring on two, possibly three of those.

— Dave Shoger
Staffing levelsDiscussing current recruitment efforts.

I think we're giving the chief a clear message that council is 100% supportive of.

— Mayor
Political supportConsolidating council feedback on the plan.

People (2)

Dave ShogerFire Chief

Presented the staffing model update and the plan to transition firefighters to a 60-hour-per-quarter duty crew role.

1 quote

“duty crew shifts average 5 minutes and 15 seconds from page to apparatus on scene as opposed to when we're working in just a duty crew or an all call operation mode of 7 minutes and 43 seconds.”

Explaining the operational efficiency gained by staffing duty crews versus all-call operations.

MayorMayor of Victoria

Led the workshop meeting and expressed support for the proposed firefighter staffing adjustments.

1 quote

“I support this duty crew idea. I think it better utilizes the people that we have, the staff that we have, gives them predictability for their life”

Endorsing the shift toward a more predictable duty crew schedule for firefighters.

Places Mentioned

Victoria (City)New Fire Station building site

Events & Meetings (1)

  • Victoria City Council workshop, 6:00 p.m.
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City Council Workshop - Oct 13 2025 - Victoria Recorder