Though Disney World is the Most Magical Place on Earth, emergencies can take place in the parks.

In the past, we’ve seen complications arise with the Skyliner, evacuations take place on rides, and most recently there was a fire reported in Magic Kingdom. Now, we’ve got an update from some of the first responders serving Disney World about a staffing situation and vehicle malfunctions that they claim are affecting their work.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the first responders at Disney World were dealing with short staffing back in 2021. Reportedly this is an issue the department has been working with for years.

Tim Stromsnes, the communications director of the Reedy Creek Fire Department’s union, indicated that staffing issues being experienced by the fire department could cause issues. Specifically, Stromsnes stated, “We’re putting people who are visiting Disney in danger.”

Avery Maeher, a Disney spokesman, has said that the union’s claims about safety in Disney World are “simply not true.” In a statement, Maeher said, “The safety of everyone who comes to Walt Disney World Resort has always been extremely important to us, and we are grateful to all the first responders who continue to keep our property safe.”

Eryka Washington, a spokeswoman from the Reedy Creek Improvement District (which runs Disney World’s emergency services and other matters) has said that “Reedy Creek prioritizes safety and ensures the fire department has ‘appropriate levels of fire and medical services at all times.'”

According to Stromsnes (the communications director of the Reedy Creek Fire Department’s union), they used to have 2 rescues assigned to the Magic Kingdom area. Smaller shift staffing, however, has “led to gaps in coverage” Stromsnes said.

Firefighters have reportedly told the Orlando Sentinel that Reedy Creek has not increased the firefighter staffing since 1989, before Disney opened Animal Kingdom and other new spots.

Shirey has said that, as of December 2021, the Reedy Creek Fire Department had a minimum staffing per shift of 26 firefighters. These firefighters are spread across 5 ambulances and 4 fire engines. They are responsible for responding to emergencies in Disney World’s theme parks and resorts, as well as accidents on some neighboring roads.

Shirey has indicated that pre-pandemic they had 32 firefighters between 8 ambulances and 4 fire engines per shift.

Previously, during peak times, Magic Kingdom had up to 3 medic units of 2 people each in the park. EPCOT and Hollywood Studios previously had 2 and Animal Kingdom had 1. This is all according to statements from Shirey.

When the report came out, all parks had 1 medic unit in the park, except for Magic Kingdom, which had 2 units (but “their shifts only overlap during peak hours”).

In June 2022, the Reedy Creek Professional Firefighters Union reported additional concerns, this time about the trucks and rescue units available to them. Union President John Shirey said that the vehicles were “unreliable” and broke down frequently (according to Wesh). Shirey stated that the department normally would have 4 fire engines and 8 ambulances available to handle calls for all of Disney World. He reported, “Right now, we have only two of our fire engines actually in service, one tower truck, and then we have another crew that’s running out of our heavy rescue which does not have firefighting equipment on there.”

The difficulties have led to firefighters responding to medical emergencies in SUVs rather than ambulances, and those vehicles are not equipped to transport patients to a hospital. Shirey stated that the problems are impacting capabilities and response times.

According to Shirey, the staffing concerns and vehicle malfunctions also impact “members of the special operations team, which evacuates riders from complex rides and transportation when they break down, including the monorail and gondola system.”

The union was actually in arbitration with the district regarding the staffing issue. They pushed “for more first responders.” Union members have indicated that the Reedy Creek Improvement District (which encompasses Disney World) reduced staffing in March of 2020 in response to the pandemic and park closures. The reduction in staffing was reportedly part of an agreement that was made to avoid layoffs.

The union has alleged that Reedy Creek is continuing to operate under the temporary staffing agreement made due to the pandemic.

The Sentinel reports that union members say “they are not adequately staffed to respond to a fire at a resort hotel, much less a large-scale emergency.”

Shirey (the president of the Reedy Creek Firefighters Association) said “If there is a big event, we’re not even remotely close to being able to handle it on our own.”

Shirey has said that when concerns were raised to the district, the district has reportedly said that the “call volume does not show the need for larger staffing.” Reportedly, the Reedy Creek Improvement District’s website shows that it is hiring firefighters and paramedics. Shirey told the Sentinel that the district “told firefighters they were looking to start the process in January” of 2022.

The Sentinel notes that the firefighters and paramedics are “bracing to be stretched further” as the holiday season approached last year. The emergency response team has claimed that they are “increasingly relying on outside fire departments to respond to call and take people to hospitals, which can lead to delayed care at vital times.”

Keep in mind that this post is based on the information reported by the Orlando Sentinel and the statements provided to them by the firefighters association and others.

When a fire was reported in Magic Kingdom last year, emergency responders did arrive on the scene and handled the situation. Fire trucks and ambulances were seen in the park during that night.

We will continue to look for more updates. Check back with us for the latest Disney news.

Click here to learn more about the fire that took place in Magic Kingdom