Agenda - Council - 10/13/2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Background: The staffing target for fire stations has been 20 Paid on Call Firefighters per station. This number has been successful to assure adequate staff for response to emergencies each day of the year. The Fire Department has been fortunate over the last couple of years to have limited attrition which in turn has limited the number of new firefighter recruits needed. With the Joint Powers Agreement in effect with Nowthen, most of the recruitment activities have been to staff Station #3 in Nowthen. In 2009 there will be a total of five firefighters leaving. Three are retiring, one resigned and another has verbalized he will retire at the end of the year. History has shown the importance of keeping "the pipeline" of firefighters filled so that an adequate number of skilled, seasoned firefighters are available for emergencies. The Fire Chief is recommending recruiting for up to three firefighters for Stations 1 &2 and up to three for Station #3. It should be noted that the costs of recruitment for firefighters responding out of Station #3 will be reimbursed by Nowthen. A meeting of the Joint Powers Board is scheduled for October 19 with firefighter recruitment on the agenda. Funding Source: Funding for recruitment (physicals, backgrounds, staff time, etc) is from the Fire Department budget, more specifically under line items such as Medical and Psychological and Personnel Services. (Note the reimbursement of costs for Station #3 staff above) After hire, on -going salary, training and other expenses for firefighters are also budgeted from the Fire Department budget. Each budget year contains funding for recruitment. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends authorization to begin the recruitment of up to three firefighters for Stations 1 &2 and up to three firefighters for Station #3. As with other hires at the city another case will be brought to council for the actual hiring of new firefighters. Revi - we PC: 10 -13 -09 AUTHORIZATION TO BEGIN RECRUITMENT FOR PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS By: Dean Kapler, Fire Chief ty A• . or Human Resources Manager Fire Chief PC#