Agenda - Council - 04/10/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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pe# I eONSlDER UTILIZING P AlD-ON-eALL FIREFIGHTERS FOR FIRE eODE INSPEeTIONS By: Dean Kapler, Fire Chief Background: In 2001, the City of Ramsey hired a full-time bnilding/fire inspector. Due to the growing workload in the building inspections division, this position focused primarily on building inspections. In 2004. the City created its first full-time fire inspector position and in 2005 this position was eliminated and the fire marshal position was created. In 2006, staff requested the addition of a full-time fire inspector position but the position was not approved as part of the 2007 budget. With the adoption of the Minnesota State Fire Code. the City of Ramsey is required to conduct ip.spections in both new construction and annual in Ramsey's 450 existing businesses. In situations where the occupancy and hazard level warrant it. some businesses may be inspected twice annually. To-date. the fire marshal has been the sole staff member responsible for conducting fire inspections. Ramsey's volume of fire inspections and fire prevention activities have become difficult for one person to manage. It should be noted that unlike other areas of inspections, fire code inspections continue after construction is complete. for the purpose of verifying that life and safety maintenance issues are kept current. In response to the backlog of inspections created by Ramsey's rapid growth and understaffing in fire inspections. staff is proposing the creation of a part-time, temporary fire inspector "assignment" for current Ramsey paid-on-call firefighters. If approved, this fire inspector assignment will help reduce the backlog of fire inspections, leverage the training and skills of existing employees and provide on-the-job-training and possible opportunities for career advancement. With Personnel Committee approval. and subsequent City Council approval, three paid- on-call firefighters who meet firefighter performance standards and who have received the Fire Inspector I certification from the State of Minnesota. will be eligible for a 12 month assignment as paid-on-call firefighter/fire inspectors. The pool oftbree paid-on- call fire inspectors would be allowed to work a total of up to 10 hours weekly at a proposed wage of $19.00/hour. Each paid-on-call fire inspector would be required to complete at least 20 inspections to be removed from probation, pending the recommendation of the fire chief. Staff believes that the paid-on-call fire inspector assignment is greatly needed to reduce the backlog of fire inspections. lfin the future. the City Council approves the creation of -149-