Roseville firefighters responded to 7,544 calls in 2024, an increase of more than 9 percent in one year’s time.
That includes calls for fires, rescues, and emergency medical service. Roseville firefighters provide lifesaving care and medical assistance in these first critical minutes often before an ambulance arrives.
“That’s more than 20 calls a day our crews are handling,” said Roseville Fire Chief David Brosnahan. “Our 2025 call numbers are already on pace for another substantial increase. The fire department is facing significant challenges in managing the growing demand for emergency services.”
The Chief said last year wasn’t an anomaly. Total annual call volume has increased more than 36% in the last five years.
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 full-time 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.
Click here to learn more about the Roseville Fire Department 2025 staffing review.