In a presentation to the Olympia City Council, Fire Chief Matt Morris outlined the department's key priorities for 2025 at a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
The priorities included developing a comprehensive training plan for new hires, creating a capital asset plan to address aging equipment and facilities, and expanding the OFD's regional partnerships.
According to Morris, the OFD has progressed in addressing longstanding staffing shortages and rebuilding the organization's culture and morale.
Morris emphasized the department has faced significant challenges over the past five years, including the failed Regional Fire Authority (RFA) process and the COVID-19 pandemic, public health emergencies within the community, homelessness, and federal crisis, which impacted the organization's culture and employee morale.
"We recognized that the morale and cultural issues within the organization as a result of the journey the department has been on," Morris said.
One of the key issues the department has grappled with is a significant growth in service demand over the past decade. Morris noted that call volume has increased by 53% in the last 10 years.
To address these challenges, the OFD's focus has been on increasing staffing, with 38 new firefighters hired over the past 18 months.
Morris recalled that the department was understaffed at the beginning of 2024 compared to the number of positions that had been budgeted.
“We were operating way too many vacancies, and it was having a negative impact on the workforce, having to cover all the vacancies,” Morris commented.
Morris said the OFD plans to invest in the development and well-being of all team members by providing professional growth through training opportunities, reducing workplace injuries, and building a positive culture driven by shared values, recognition and transparency.
One of the department's strategic plans focuses on mental health support and peer support programs for firefighters.
Morris recognized the unique stresses and challenges faced by first responders, noting that mental health issues and suicide are leading causes of death among firefighters nationwide.
The fire chief added that the OFD is partnering with specialized agencies to provide members with support systems that understand the first responder's experience.
The department's Community Assistance Referral and Education Services (CARES) program, which provides social services to frequent 911 callers, continues to evolve.
The fire chief mentioned that many community members rely on 911 not for emergencies, but because they lack other resources. The CARES team, led by social workers, helps connect individuals with appropriate services, reducing unnecessary emergency calls.
While the program has shown promise, funding challenges persist. The city was forced to eliminate one full-time position from CARES due to budget cuts, and additional funding from the federal government remains uncertain.
To address this issue, the OFD is collaborating with Tumwater to onboard a part-time social worker and is in discussions with the local area agency on aging to secure further support.
The department is taking a methodical approach to planning its future operations.
Over the next year, Morris said the department will develop a training plan, a staffing succession strategy, and a capital asset plan to ensure long-term stability. In addition, priority-based budgeting efforts will help align financial resources with the department's objectives.
The OFD is evaluating its facilities and equipment needs, and has identified significant shortfalls in its capital requirements. Morris stated the department is working closely with City Manager Jay Burney to identify ways to address these needs, including the financial challenges involved.
Looking at the OFD future, Morris emphasized the importance of regional collaboration, noting the department's 166 years of service and the unique expertise it can bring to the greater Thurston County region.
"We want to intentionally leverage that experience and expertise to benefit the entire region," the fire chief added.
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OlyBlues
I'm sure the Chief wants regional support and surrounding cities to bail Olympia out because the city of Olympia has created a big mess for themselves and the fire department by encouraging and enabling homeless encampments, defunding the police, and condoning illegal drug use. The results, an increase in fire calls for overdoses, encampment fires and explosions, and assaults at encampments. These issues are a direct result of failed Democrat policies by Olympia. That is the reality. The citizens in Tumwater and Lacey have no interest in funding a bail out of Olympia and their poor decisions. The city should have shut down the Jungle that is ON CITY PROPERTY years ago and did nothing, let alone the encampment by the auto mall. What a total disgrace!
Saturday, February 8 Report this
JW
I'd rather the city council gives the fire department more money such as the money being wasted on DEI endeavors, "reparations" consultant studies, and climate BS.
Saturday, February 8 Report this
Kruz81
As other stated the monies spent on DEI, homeless efforts and other sunk costs need to stop. Let's also look at how much we are paying leadership in the city. Too many overpaid and under qualified.
Saturday, February 8 Report this
ViaLocal
Will mental health support be considered DEI? hmmm
Monday, February 10 Report this