Sustaining Chili’s Fire Services: Balancing Volunteer Retention and Efficient Response

Across the country, local governments face a familiar challenge: sustaining reliable emergency services amid shifting demographics and a shrinking volunteer pool. The Town of Chili engaged CGR to evaluate the current health and long-term outlook of its two volunteer fire departments: the Chili Fire Department and the Clifton Fire Department.

While both departments serve the town, their coverage areas look very different:

• Chili FD covers 21 square miles containing most of the town’s population and primary growth corridors.
• Clifton FD covers 12 square miles of mostly rural land and farmland in southwest Chili, along with six square miles in the neighboring Town of Riga.

CGR evaluated operational efficiency, financial sustainability, and the potential benefits of merging the two organizations. While consolidation offered minor equipment and administrative efficiencies, CGR determined that keeping the departments separate is currently the best path forward since a merger risks damaging individual department cultures and eroding the volunteer base.

Instead, CGR recommended a practical, phased approach to help both departments adapt as the community develops, including adding paid staff during peak demand times, expanding coordination with neighboring towns, and optimizing station locations to maintain fast response in expanding residential areas.

Learn more:

• Dashboard
• Report (PDF)
• Contact John Caufield for more information

October 8, 2026 CGR Briefs Edition