Roseville Fire Department 2025 Staffing Review

Brosnahan and Assistant Fire Chief Neil Sjostrom presented those statistics to the City Council in January and are recommending the city increase the number of fulltime firefighters in 2026 to maintain a high level of service.

The department's staffing request will be part of the city's budget process.

Brosnahan attributed the rising call numbers to several factors including the construction of more housing units, an aging population that relies more on emergency services, and evolving community expectations.

Roseville shifted from a volunteer/paid-on-call organization to professional, full-time staff in 2015. Now, residents who call 911 expect a quick, professional response, he said. 

Roseville has 26 fulltime firefighters, who are all cross-trained as either a paramedic or an EMT. Between 6 to 8 firefighters are on duty at any given time.  

After comparing staffing levels and call volumes to other Twin Cities suburbs, Brosnahan and Sjostrom are recommending staffing levels be increased to 10 to 13 firefighters on duty at a time. This will allow RFD to respond to multiple calls at one time.

That would require adding 15 additional full-time firefighters. This staffing increase will cost an additional $2 million annually, Brosnahan said.

“This is a serious issue for the community as emergency response times and the ability to provide adequate and equitable response and services are critical to the safety and well-being of the community,” Brosnahan said.