Agenda - Council - 09/09/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I CCAS #: CONSIDER INCREASE IN RATES FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS By: Linda Waite Smith, Administrative Services Manager Background: I I I As noted during budget discussions, we are proposing an increase in Fire personnel pay rates for 1997 and 1998. Members of Ramsey's Fire Department have reviewed the proposed increases and concur but fo~ a request for additional drill compensation. While that request may have merit, it is beyond ~ 997 budget allocations. Further, our recommendation includes an increase in drill compensation~from the current level of $5 per drill to $5 per hour of drill, up to a maximum of two hours. (Currently drills last two to three hours each.) We recommend that our proposal be adopted for 1997 and that the Department's request for additional drill compensation be reconsidered during 1998 budget discussions. I I I I I I Although all members of the department are technically volunteers, currently officers receive a small salary and ali firefighters who are past probation are paid $7.20 per hour for fire calls and $5.00 per meeting, drill, or community event. The following chart compares fire department rates paid by other Stanton Class 6 cities :in 1996, as well as the proposed increases for Ramsey for 1997 and 1998 Function Stanton 1996 Ave. 1996 Proposed 1997 Proposed 1998 Fire Chief ~. $4,23 ~/yr $2,100/yr $2,700/yr $3,600/yr Asst. Chief N/A $1,470/yr $1,884/yr $2,520/yr Captains(2) N/A $ 735/yr $ 948/yr $1,260/yr Lieutenants(2) "N/A $ 480/yr $ 540/yr $ 720/yr Training Officer N/A $ 525/yr $ 672/yr $ 900/yr Secretary N/A $ 315/yr $ 360/yr $ 360/yr Fire Call Rate $8.06/hr $7.20/hr $7.60/hr $8.20/hr M~etings, events N/A $5.00/event $5.00/event $5.00/event Drills (2 hr max) $6.65/hr $5.00/drill $5.00/hr $5.00/hr The following chart shows the financial impact of the proposed increases, except for the cost of social security andisimilar expenses. The figures are based on 1996 experience and assume that the department employs 28 firefighters who each respond to 45% of 300 calls in 1997 and 315 calls in 1998; and ghat each call lasts 1.25 hours. Calculations for meetings (which are optional) and drills (which are required) are based on meeting costs staying the same and drill costs increasing based on 20 firefighters attending 36 drills per year. Function Additonal Cost 97/96 Additional Cost 98/97 Fire Call's $1,890 $2,980 Me~tings/Drills $3,600 $ 0 Officers' Pay $1,875 $2,745 Total $7,242 $5,728