HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.a. Firefighter Compensation for Special Operations TeamAGENDA ITEM: Additional Firefighter Compensation for
Special Operations Team
Representatives
AGENDA SECTION:
Discussion
PREPARED BY: Dawn Weitzel, Assistant City
Administrator
Scott Aker, Fire Chief
AGENDA NO.
ATTACHMENTS: None
APPROVED BY:
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discussion Item
ACTION:
City Council Date: May 24, 2005
CITY OF ROSEMOUNT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION
BACKGROUND
The Rosemount Fire and Pohce Departments, as representatives of the City of Rosemount, belong to a
countywide Special Operauons Team (SOT). This team was organized to respond to calls such as
hazardous material spills, trench rescue, high level rescue, structural collapse and other speciahzed
situations which no one department is capable to tram for on its own. The SOT is made up of thirty
six members who are trained in these skills. People seeking to be on the team are required to go
through an apphcation and interview process. Several Rosemount firefighters were interested m joining
the SOT but only two were chosen to represent the Pohce and Fire Departments
Even though the SOT operates independently of respective pohce and fire departments, the members
are compensated by their home city Because firefighters from varying cities are paid quite diversely,
there is a large discrepancy within the payment structure for SOT members Within its members,
payment ranges from a small stipend, as is the case for Rosemount (normal $2 /call or drill rate), to time
and a half for some full -tune members of other police and fire departments.
ISSUE
The two Rosemount firefighters will be undergoing extensive teaming to bring them up to speed with
the rest of the team who went through tram mg one year ago After this imual period they will continue
to tram eight hours a month on Saturdays. The team is also called to respond to specialized incidences
for which they are quahfied. Probably the most significant recent incident was the mercury spill that
occurred here in Rosemount.
Because their service on this team is above and beyond the regular duties of a Rosemount firefighter,
special compensauon for these services would be appropriate. The 2004 Stanton Book identifies
sixteen reporting cities within the Stanton VI range if Rosemount is taken out of the reporting
($2 /drill), twelve of these cities pay an hourly range of $7 $12 50 per hour and the renaming two pay
$12 $16 for drill time Taking into consideration that Fire Department officers (Chief, Assistant
Chief, Secretary, Training Coordinator, Captain, Lieutenant) receive an annual supend for their services,
it is requested that a stipend of $1,000 per year be given to the SOT members.
SUMMARY
Neither of the two firefighters joined the SOT in the desire of receiving additional compensation.
However, given the hours away from their families for training on Saturdays, it is requested that
Council consider providing SOT members an annual stipend of $1,000. As with the Fire Department's
officers, this would be paid quarterly, in addition to their regular firefighter pay If approved, this
compensation could begin the third quarter of 2005.
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