We asked FireRescue1 readers: If a surprise $2 million landed in your department’s budget tomorrow, what’s the first thing you would recommend spending it on?
Wish lists ranged from increased staffing and raises to new stations, radios and air packs, with a few votes for soft serve ice cream.
Put it into people: Staffing, pay and retention
Staffing was the most common answer, followed by raises, bonuses and retention. Several readers said nothing else should come first.
- “Staffing; nothing else, just that.”
- “When the answer isn’t immediately staffing, then you know you’re working an easier job than most.”
- “Four-man standard staffing.”
- “A third person on the engine. Maybe staff the tower.”
- “Paid staff.”
- “Staff retention.”
- “It should go to the folks that make the agency run day in and day out.”
- “I would pay each member who passed FF1 $500. It’s not mandatory in our state and you go on your own time.”
Replace aging stations and rigs
For many departments, the money would go to buildings and apparatus that have outlived their useful life.
- “That station we’ve been trying to build for the past ten years to replace one that’s 70 years old.”
- “Replace our 68-year-old building.”
- “A new building that will fit the apparatus.”
- “New tower and new members room.”
- “An engine that’s not 30 years old and paid-per-call for staffing/morale.”
- “More ambulances.”
- “Build a new station, new apparatus purchase, new communication equipment and station upkeep.”
- “Finishing refurb of the heavy rescue, repairs to station driveway, new radios and pagers, intercom system, repairs and refit to reserve engine.”
Radios, air packs and turnout gear can’t wait
Readers also pointed to the equipment that protects crews and keeps them connected, from outdated radios to air packs and turnout gear.
- “Replace 23-year-old air packs.”
- “RADIOS!”
- “Communication equipment; our radios are outdated and we need two repeaters for coverage. Also, an updated 4x4 ambulance and staff for as long as we can afford it.”
- “Updated PFAS free turnout gear for the department that is within date. And new forestry equipment because we protect the state’s watershed.”
- “Safety related items around the stations and in the rigs. If any is left, work on updating equipment or apparatus so it’s more dependable for the staff and most importantly, to provide service when needed.”
- “Tethered drones, F-500EA and Draeger PSS 7000 SCBA with comms and thermal imaging built into the facepiece.”
- “A second set of turnouts for all personnel.”
Save it, invest it or pay down debt
A smaller group urged restraint, suggesting the windfall be invested, held in reserve or used to pay off loans rather than spent all at once.
- “Half into capital improvement. The other half invested in a high yield safe harbor to support future expenses.”
- “500k for older tool replacement, fill gaps in equipment needs, replace two old trucks with used models, and technology replacement. Place the rest in a portfolio and use the interest to supplement the budget under a separate board of directors.”
- “A used tanker/pumper and a used mini pumper or other wet rescue. Then the rest in reserve for the future.”
- “Pay off station and engine loans.”
Morale matters too, and so does soft serve
Some readers answered with humor, while others argued that a better station life is its own kind of readiness.
- “Soft serve ice cream machine.”
- “Uncrustables.”
- “Pizza party.”
- “Churro makers.”
- “A fenced-off grill area with tables and chairs for everyone. Better morale = better mental health. It’s not the best solution, but it’s a start.”
🔥 Your 360 takeaways
Readers largely agreed that the money should go to the people and equipment that keep a department running, with staffing and pay leading the responses, followed by aging stations, apparatus and safety gear. The open question is whether a one-time windfall should fund recurring costs. One reader would pay for staff “for as long as we can afford it,” while others suggested investing part of the money or paying off loans to protect future budgets.
If a surprise $2 million landed in your department’s budget tomorrow, what’s the first thing you would recommend spending it on?
