Finance and Personnel / March 24, 2026

The City of Hartford Finance and Personnel Committee met on March 24, 2026, to discuss the potential hiring of two additional full-time employees for the Fire EMS department in 2027, contingent upon funding availability and budget approval. The discussion included the current staffing structure, the use of Kelly days, and the operational need to increase staffing to improve response times. Committee members inquired about the possibility of hiring one employee earlier, call volume increases, and funding sources. It was noted that call volume has increased by approximately 20% over the past four years, and the department now serves a larger geographic area, including additional municipalities. Funding discussions included contracts with surrounding towns and villages, cost-sharing arrangements, and ongoing county-level task force efforts to secure additional emergency services funding. The committee unanimously approved a motion to move forward with hiring the two additional full-time employees pending budget and funding availability.