VIDEO: The Spokane Fire Department canceled their fire academy training for 2024 due to the $50 million city deficit.
"The fire academy is an expensive proposition," Spokane Fire Chief Julie O'Berg said.
O'Berg said the training costs $750,000.
"The last two and a half years, the department has been doing two academies a year in order to rebuild our relief pool," O'Berg said. A relief pool is a group able to work as needed, as staff take vacation or sick leave.
O'Berg said during the pandemic, the relief pool was limited due to COVID-19 protocols, but emphasized its growth as of 2024.
"While that relief pool was not where we wanted it to be for a final number, it's healthier than it had been in a while," O'Berg said.
As crews plan for fire academy training next year, O'Berg emphasized an upcoming proposal item on the November ballot known as the Community Safety Sales Tax.