HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.f. Compensation for Fire OfficersAGENDA ITEM: Compensation for Fire Officers
AGENDA SECTION:
PREPARED BY: Scott Aker, Fire Chief
Dawn Weitzel, Assistant City
Administrator
AGEN1/4bg*9. 7
ATTACHMENTS: None
APPROVED BY: a
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discussion
4 ROSEMOUNT
CITY COUNCIL
City Council Work Session: February 15, 2006
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ISSUE
Discussion of fire officer pay.
BACKGROUND
At the December 14 Council Work Session a proposal for fire officer compensation changes was brought
before Council for discussion. Annual stipends have not increased for Fire Department officers since
1995. During the course of the mecttng several questions were raised that staff was not prepared to
answer The information in this document may answer some of questions Council members may have
regarding the operations of the department.
Fire Chief
The fire chief position is held by one person.
As its department head, is responsible for the overall operations of the Fire Department
Supervises approximately 40 firefighters on a daily basis as well as in emergency situations
Interacts with the City Council, outside agencies, and other City departments
Maintains State information and Department data
Represents the Department m city, county and state meetings, and other functions
Prepares Department budget
Acquires supphes and equipment to support the station and firefighter activities
Requires a 20 -25 hours per week commitment m addition to emergency calls (special projects,
such as vehicle purchases or facility planning, increase this time requirement)
Assistant Fire Chief
The assistant fire chief position is held by one person.
Relays equipment and facility and equipment maintenance needs
Coordinates the annual inspection of vehicles and equipment with outside agencies
Represents the department at WAKOTA mutual aid meetings
Requires a time commitment of 4 hours per week in addition to the response time to
emergency situations (additional time may be required to meet the needs of the Department)
Captain
The Fire Department currently has four people serving as captains The firefighters and vehicles
are divided into three crews each is headed by a captain The fourth captain is responsible for
the recruitment and evaluation of prospective firefighters and also acts as a "floater" and substitute
for a crew captain during a training session.
Trams crew members on the vehicle assigned to them, ensures that the vehicle is in ready
condition and able to respond to an emergency call
Plans and carves out two drills per month, for other monthly drills the practical instruction is
handled by the captain
Captams have been given additional responsibilities over the past few years and this most hkely will
continue with the addition of the second fire station At this time, there are no plans to add a
second assistant fire chief or create a district chief position Additional assistant positions usually
evolve with multiple stations and departments that are larger than Rosemount or when fire stations
operate mdependendy of each other. The consensus is our Department would be better served to
have the added responsibility of a second fire station handled by a captain. Currently, a captain
position requires a commitment of 2 -3 hours a week; however, this will increase with the opening
of the second fire station. Whenever the fire chief is out of town or unavailable, the captains cover
the responsibilities of his position.
Lieutenant
The Fire Department operates with five lieutenant positions.
Trams to become a future captain
Serves as a captain's assistant
Given responsibilities commensurate with ability
Depending on expertise, leads short -term committees or work on special projects
Secretary
The secretary is a position held by one member of the Fire Department.
Provides reports to the State Fire Marshal's office; works closely with the City's Fire Marshal in
preparation of those reports.
Organizes payroll information
Training Coordinator
The training coordinator position is held by one person; however, this person may appoint an
assistant if necessary.
Plans and coordinates one training session each month
Maintains a trawling file for each firefighter and schedules the required outside training as
needed or required.
The following table shows the current stipend level received by Rosemount's fire officers and a
recommendation for incrcases to these oosinons:
2
Current Level
Recommended Increase To
Difference Per Year
Fire Chief
$7,800
$9,300
$1,500
Assistant Fire Chief
$4,300
$4,850
$550
Secretary
$2,000
52,200
$200
Captain
(expansion of responsibilities)
$425
5950
$525
Training Coordinator
$700
5800
$100
Lieutenant
$250
$400
$150
Captain
The Fire Department currently has four people serving as captains The firefighters and vehicles
are divided into three crews each is headed by a captain The fourth captain is responsible for
the recruitment and evaluation of prospective firefighters and also acts as a "floater" and substitute
for a crew captain during a training session.
Trams crew members on the vehicle assigned to them, ensures that the vehicle is in ready
condition and able to respond to an emergency call
Plans and carves out two drills per month, for other monthly drills the practical instruction is
handled by the captain
Captams have been given additional responsibilities over the past few years and this most hkely will
continue with the addition of the second fire station At this time, there are no plans to add a
second assistant fire chief or create a district chief position Additional assistant positions usually
evolve with multiple stations and departments that are larger than Rosemount or when fire stations
operate mdependendy of each other. The consensus is our Department would be better served to
have the added responsibility of a second fire station handled by a captain. Currently, a captain
position requires a commitment of 2 -3 hours a week; however, this will increase with the opening
of the second fire station. Whenever the fire chief is out of town or unavailable, the captains cover
the responsibilities of his position.
Lieutenant
The Fire Department operates with five lieutenant positions.
Trams to become a future captain
Serves as a captain's assistant
Given responsibilities commensurate with ability
Depending on expertise, leads short -term committees or work on special projects
Secretary
The secretary is a position held by one member of the Fire Department.
Provides reports to the State Fire Marshal's office; works closely with the City's Fire Marshal in
preparation of those reports.
Organizes payroll information
Training Coordinator
The training coordinator position is held by one person; however, this person may appoint an
assistant if necessary.
Plans and coordinates one training session each month
Maintains a trawling file for each firefighter and schedules the required outside training as
needed or required.
The following table shows the current stipend level received by Rosemount's fire officers and a
recommendation for incrcases to these oosinons:
2
At Council's direction money has been budgeted m 2006 to cover the cost of these increases to wages.
SUMMARY
In conclusion, it is requested that fire officers receive a stipend adjustment beginning in 2006. Stipends are
paid on a quarterly basis.
Given direction, these items will appear on the February 21 City Council regular meeting agenda.
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