The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association (HPFFA) has pushed back against City Controller Chris Hollins’ recent claims about firefighter overtime spending.
Hollins highlights a projected $72 million surge in overtime costs for the fire, police, and solid waste departments for Fiscal Year 2025. The Controller has raised concerns about the city’s growing budget deficit and called for audits to address the rising costs.
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In response, the HPFFA claims Hollins is mischaracterizing the situation and ignoring critical context.
Firefighters point to staffing shortages and critical needs
The HPFFA argues that the overtime surge is a direct result of years of understaffing at the Houston Fire Department (HFD). According to the union, the department has been short by about 800 firefighters, making overtime necessary to maintain response levels and public safety.
Firefighters have also been deployed to assist with wildfires in California and South Texas and managed major disasters such as Hurricane Beryl and the January snowstorm. These deployments contribute to increased overtime, but the associated costs are reimbursed by the agencies requesting help.
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HPFFA President Patrick M. “Marty” Lancton expressed frustration with the perceived attacks on the department, stating, “We are focused on returning HFD to the world-class department our city deserves.” The union also emphasized that, despite ongoing efforts to recruit new firefighters under Mayor John Whitmire’s leadership, it will take time to restore staffing levels fully.
Mayor Whitmire recently announced a hiring freeze in March as the city works out its budget.
City controller calls for transparency and action
On the other side, Controller Chris Hollins argues that the overtime costs, especially within the Fire Department, are unsustainable and need to be addressed.
He points out that, while staffing incentives, updated equipment, and expanded contract services were attempted, overtime costs have continued to rise.
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In his view, identifying the problem is the first step in solving it, and his office is moving forward with a targeted audit to evaluate the management of overtime and explore practical solutions.
“This level of overtime spending represents a significant budget challenge, but identifying the problem is the first step to solving it,” said Controller Hollins.
Hollins says fire overtime alone is projected to exceed its FY25 budget by $42.7 million, police by $26.1 million, and solid waste by $3.1 million—with each department surpassing budgeted overtime every month this fiscal year.
Finding common ground
The city faces a difficult balancing act: ensuring public safety while managing its budget. Firefighters insist that increasing staff and properly addressing long-term staffing issues is key to reducing overtime, while Hollins stresses the importance of fiscal responsibility in the face of the city’s $330 million structural deficit.
While both sides agree that more funding is needed to address HFD’s staffing needs, the debate continues about how to manage overtime costs and ensure the long-term stability of Houston’s emergency services.
The upcoming audit will likely be a pivotal step in finding a resolution, with both sides watching closely for any solutions that can ensure the city’s future success.
