VOLUME 8, ISSUE 18 | AUGUST 6, 2020
THE VALLEJO WEEKLY
A Message from the Fire Chief On Monday, July 20, the Vallejo Fire Department (VFD) began its Firefighter Apprentice Academy with 16 recruits. This is believed to be the largest academy class in the Department’s history. These recruits are attending training at the VFD Training Tower. It remains vital for the Department to avoid dipping below minimum staffing levels (72 firefighters), as this situation results in excessive firefighter fatigue, and increased mandatory overtime.
The hiring of sixteen recruits effectively increases the Department’s staffing by 19%. If all recruits are successful in completing the academy, the Department’s overall staffing will increase from 69 to 85 firefighters. This short-lived staffing increase will result in physical relief for over-worked firefighters and a reduction and non-dependence on overtime for daily staffing needs. The Department projects an attrition rate (the reduction of personnel from resignations, retirements, etc.) of five members per year, over the next three years, so these new hires are arriving at a good time.