HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.j. Appointment of Assistant Fire ChiefAGENDA ITEM: Appointment of Assistant Fire Chief
AGENDA SECTION:
Consent
PREPARED BY: Dwight Johnson, City Administrator
AGENDA NO. (7
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ATTACHMENTS:
APPROVED BY:
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RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to appoint James Voelker as Assistant Fire Chief
ROSEMOUNT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CITY COUNCIL
City Council Meeting: March 18, 2009
ISSUE
The Fire Department Personnel Policy requires the appointment of an Assistant Fire Chief every three
years. The current appointment expires in March 2009 and is currently held by Mike Haeg.
To fill the pending vacancy, applications were solicited and three applications were received. Mr. Haeg
did not reapply for the position. The three candidates were interviewed by a panel made up of three
firefighters, Police Chief Gary Kalstabakken, and Assistant City Administrator Emmy Foster. In
addition, both Chief Aker and I sat in on the interviews.
Based on the recommendations of the panel and the Fire Chief, I am recommending that James
Voelker be appointed to the position. Mr. Voelker has nearly 12 years of experience on our Fire
Department and has served as a Captain in the Fire Department since October, 2005. While holding
the Captain position, Mr. Voelker has stepped in to serve as backup to the Chief and Assistant Chief.
During an extended medical leave of the current Assistant Chief, Captain Voelker admirably performed
many of the Assistant Chief duties and responsibilities. He has also been involved at the county and
state level. Mr. Voelker is employed full time by the City of Edina as a mechanic and has an extensive
knowledge of fire equipment. All three candidates interviewed well, and we are pleased with the talent
available in the Fire Department for current and future leadership positions.
SUMMARY
Staff recommends approval of the appointment of Jim Voelker as Assistant Fire Chief for a period of
three years.