Staffing Model

• The only full-time employee of the Westfield Fire & Rescue District is the Fire Chief.
  

• All other Fire & EMS personnel are part-time employees.
  

• The District’s staffing model aims to have two on-duty personnel available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  

• Depending on the nature and severity of an incident, additional personnel may respond from home, which can affect response times.
  

As of mid-2024, the District roster includes:

• 9 Paramedics
  

• 2 EMT-Intermediates
  

• 8 EMT-Basics
  

Fire and EMS personnel are cross-trained to respond to both fire-related and emergency medical incidents.

Emergency Medical Response

Emergency medical calls account for approximately 64% of total call volume. Most calls occur between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Response Time Standards

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1710 establishes a target response time of 9 minutes for emergency medical services, measured from the time a unit leaves the station to arrival at the incident.

• The District’s current average response time is approximately 8 minutes and 20 seconds, exceeding the NFPA benchmark.
  

• Response times may vary depending on personnel availability and whether additional responders are needed to respond from home.
  

Training & Certification

Fire and EMS personnel are required to meet state certification and licensing standards, including:

• Initial certification and licensing
  

• Ongoing continuing education
  

• Regular drills and hands-on training
  

• Compliance with state and federal safety requirements
  

The District also utilizes grant funding to support training and education. Since October 2023, the District has applied for multiple state and federal grants and has received funding to support fire gear, equipment, and training.

Recruitment, Retention & Onboarding

Maintaining adequate staffing levels is an ongoing operational consideration.

• The estimated cost to hire and onboard a new Fire & Rescue employee begins at approximately $8,800.
  

• The cost to onboard a new paramedic is significantly higher due to additional training and certification requirements.
  

• Competitive compensation, training opportunities, and retention are key factors in sustaining service levels.