Additional firefighters not included in the Bristol VA budget

A request from the Bristol, Virginia, Fire Department for more personnel has not been added to the City of Bristol, Virginia’s, proposed budget for 2027. The department had requested nine additional personnel. City officials say it would cost the city about $75,000 per firefighter. Local 2499 of the firefighters union said they are now asking for three new positions and note that Bristol, Virginia, is the second most densely populated city per square mile in the Tri-Cities region. Union officials also pointed out that BVFD only has 10 personnel on duty at a time, with only two on each engine and said this is a safety concern. City officials say public safety is a priority for the city and they are not against adding more personnel at some point in the future. City officials and the union said they do plan on meeting in person later to discuss the decision. Public comment about the proposed budget will be available at regularly scheduled City Council meetings with the next meeting scheduled for April 28th.