40-Hour to 54-Hour Firefighter Proposal.pptVIP

40-Hour to 54-Hour Firefighter Proposal Ideas for Improved Efficiency Effectiveness Goal Increase 24-hour operational firefighter staffing by one per shift utilizing current Fire Department staff by moving two current 40-hour firefighters to the 24-hour position and permanently retaining the current “temporary” firefighter Objectives Reduce department overtime for “Minimum Manning” Retain current “temporary firefighter” and make position permanent Increase 24-hour shift strength by one on each shift (A, B, and C) Maintain “Minimum Manning” of 7 per shift, per day (same as today) with maximum of 2 firefighters scheduled off per day for vacation, 54-hour day, etc. Background – Today’s Situation The City of Portage, like many cities has been facing an increasing population which has increased demands for quality service Background – Today’s Situation, cont’d The Portage Fire Department’s calls for service have increased significantly (272%) in the past 30 years Background – Today’s Situation, cont’d In 1989, the city hired two 40-hour firefighters assigned to an 8am-4pm, Monday thru Friday schedule These positions were designed to supplement limited daytime response from paid on-call firefighters combined with the increasing demands for service The City of Portage continues to supplement career staffing for the fire department with a paid on-call system. The department has authorization to fill 36 paid on-call positions. Today, the department has 17, with 10 having less than 2 years experience From 1998 to 2005, the Portage Fire Department recruited and trained 85 paid on-call firefighters. Of those 85, only 16 (19%) remain with the department On-Call Retention: 1998 - 2005 On-Call Experience Level Background – Today’s Situation Even the most dedicated and dependable on-call firefighters are available only part of the time and struggle to juggle family, work and fire department commitments. On-Call Response to Incidents - 2004 On-Call Respo