Many feel that a new fire station is needed in the Assembly Square area in order to ensure a quicker response to fires that occur there.

By Kyle Dante

Due to Somerville’s fiscal year, the Police and Fire Committees face hardship. The departments are of similar value. Police officers and firefighters face the same training and examinations. Think of it similarly to a sports athlete. Officers and firefighters get swapped too on their respective roles.

The current issues within the departments are their reserve lists. However, there is currently no formal decision on handling the lists. It is acting as a hiring puzzle. No matter the decision, the list size remains problematic. It takes a while to get a firefighter or officer on the reserve list, sometimes up to eight to ten months.

Therefore, there are several concerns among the City Council and department staff. Namely, the plan, its control, and keeping it consistent for future hires.

On April 5, a hypothetical timeline was proposed at the Somerville City Council’s Legislative Matters Committee meeting. The concern is about staffing the opening of the Assembly Square Station. As the police and firefighters share identical training and background checks, the process applies for each department. By June 2022, HR will request an eligible list and begin orientation. By October 2022, it is hoped the interviews will be complete.

Beginning January 2023, the selected candidates will start exams, with February-March naming the members. It is due to an eight to ten-month timeframe receiving an appointed staff. The gradual process will conclude in February 2025 with adequate staff.

The Council rejected the proposed setup due to the length of the process. The fire department has had this discussion since 2021. Also, it remained a talking point since the January 2022 legislation meeting. Not only does it fail to consider the fiscal year but also those willing to serve.

In regard to the reserve list, it needs internal control. Say, for example, the hiree is on reserve. Time will pass, and they do not serve.

Separate from finances, what of those willing to serve? It is not simply the oldest reserve joining the fray. It is a timely process. By then, the reserve members are unfit to work. Alternatively, they do not want to serve Somerville or a city anymore.

Unless the departments provide new information on how to address the situation, it is a dead council topic. It needs a rework. With the incoming opening of Assembly Station Square, an adjustment must happen. Not only for the taxpayers but those hired. A waste of money can occur with paying more than necessary. More importantly, it is a disservice to those who want to help the city when a tenured employee retires. A change is needed, not hypothetically, but an actual plan.

Go here to view graphic charting the Assembly Square Station staffing scenarios.