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5.b) Process and Schedule for Selection of Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chiefs Meeting Date: 2/3/2009 Agenda Item: � �� City Council Agenda Report City of Scandia 14727 209`h St. North Scandia, MN 55073 (651) 433-2274 Action Requested: Discuss process and schedule for selection of Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chiefs. Deadline/ Timeline: Fire Chief Steve Spence's resignation is effective February 23, 2009. Background: • At their January 26 meeting, the Fire Department held a vote on their recommendation for the next Fire Chief. There were two nominations (Jim Finnegan and Bill Havener) and Finnegan was selected on a 16 to 11 vote. Finnegan's resume is attached. The Department also made a recommendation for Finnegan's replacement for Assistant Fire Chief. There were two nominations (Mike Hinz and Bill Havener) and Hinz was selected on a 18 to 9 vote. • At their first meeting on January 28, the committee that was recently created to review Fire Department governance(Mayor Seefeldt, Council Member Crum, Administrator Hurlburt, Assistant Chief Finnegan, Assistant Chief Yehle & Fire Captain Havener, assisted by City Attorney Hebert) discussed the process for selecting a new Fire Chief and to appoint the Assistant Chiefs. The process described in the 1952 resolution establishing the Fire > Department and the Bylaws subsequently adopted by the Fire Department are inconsistent and not in compliance with state law. The Committee's charge is to recommend new governing documents, but in the meantime the city must appoint a new Fire Chief. • The consensus of the Committee was that at the February 17 Council meeting, the Council should approve a job description for Volunteer Fire Chief and then appoint a Chief, to become effective on February 23 (Chief Spence's last day.) • The Council could consider holding interview(s) or some other process before the February 17 meeting. • Appointinent of an Assistant Chief(assuming that there is a vacancy caused by the Chief appointment) would occur at Page 1 of 2 O 1/30/09 subsequent meeting. The Committee also recommends that the Council also ratify the other Assistant Chief appointment (Yehle) at that time, to avoid any question about the authority of both Assistants to act in that capacity. • Because the committee will be reviewing job descriptions, hiring and promotion procedures, personnel policies, etc. there may be soir►e changes from the process used for these appointments in the new policies that will be developed. Recommendation: I reco�nmend that the Council discuss the process for appointing a new Fire Chief and Assistant Chiefs. If there will be an interview for the Chief position, possible dates are February 5, 9 or 10 ar prior to the Council meeting on February 17. Attachments/ • Draft Volunteer Fire Chief Position Description Materials provided: . Resume, Jim Finnegan • Letter of Recommendation from Chief Steve Spence Contact(s): Prepared by: Anne Hurlburt, Administrator (fire chief appoinhnent process) Page 2 of 2 O 1/30/09 Scandia Fire & Rescue Volunteer Fire Chief Position Description GENERALPURPOSE PerForms a variety of technical, administrative, and supervisory work in planning, organizing, directing and implementing fire prevention, suppression and emergency medical services to prevent or minimize the loss of life and property by fire and emergency medical conditions. SUPERVISION RECEIVED Works under the general guidance and direction of the Mayor and or City Council. SUPERVISION EXERCISED Supervises the Department Officers, (Volunteer Assistant Fire Chiefs, Volunteer Captains, Engineer) and Volunteer Fire Fighters. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Plans, coordinates, supervises and evaluates Fire and EMS operations. Establishes policies and procedures for the department in order to implement directives from the Mayor or City Council. Plans and implements Fire and EMS programs for the City in order to better carry out the policies and goals including those set forth in the City's Affirmative Action Plan. Maintains discipline and the conduct and general behavior of assigned personnel. Reviews departmental pertormance and effectiveness; formulates programs or policies to alleviate deficiencies. Supervises and coordinates the preparation and presentation of an annual budget. Directs the implementation of the Departments' budgets; plans for and reviews specifications for new or replaced equipment. Controls the expenditure of departmental appropriations. Responds to alarms and may direct activities at the scene of major emergencies. Supervises the inspection of buildings and other properties for fire hazards and enforces fire prevention ordinances. Directs and or supervises the operation of departmental in-service training activities. Submits monthly reports of the Departments activities and prepares a variety of other reports as appropriate including the annual report of activities. Plans departmental operation with respect to equipment, apparatus, and personnel; supervises the implementation of such plans. Assigns personnel and equipment to such duties and uses as the service requires; evaluates the need for and recommends the purchase of new equipment and supplies. PERIPHERAL DUTIES Meets with elected or appointed officials, other Fire/EMS officials, community " and business representatives and the public on all aspects of the Departments' activities. Attends conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the field; represents the City Fire/EMS Departments in a variety of local, county, state and other meetings. Performs the duties of command personnel as needed and fulfills obligations during duty days or duty weeks. Serves as a member of various city and department committees. QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience: Graduation from high school or GED equivalent with specialized training in fii'e department administration and operations. Four (4) years prior work experience of a progressively responsible nature in fire fighting and prevention and emergency medical services. Four years supervisory experience. Fire service supervision preferred. FFI & FFII State of MN Certified EMT preferred Necessarv Knowledqe Skills and Abilities• Thorough knowledge of fire suppression and prevention and emergency medical services principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment; Working knowledge of first aid and resuscitation techniques and their application as demonstrated through State Medical Certification; Considerable knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, departmental standard operating procedures and regulations; Skill in the operation of listed tools and equipment. Ability to train and supervise subordinate personnel; Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition; Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions; Ability to effectively give and receive verbal and written instructions; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors and the public; and Ability to meet the special requirements listed below. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older at time of hire; Must possess a valid State Driver's No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years; Ability to read and write the English language Ability to meet Departmental physical standards. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED Emergency medical aid unit, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, phone. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to pertorm the essential functions. Work is performed primarily in office, vehicles, and outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings, and loud at an emergency scene. Jim Finnegan Scandia Minnesota 55073 (651) 433-2225 OBJECTIVE Serve as the Scandia Fire and Rescue Department Fire Chief by leverage my fire service operations education and experience, EMS education and experience, leadership experience, business management experience, and business management education. FIRE SERVICE EXPERIENCE Feb 1998 — Present; Volunteer Assistant Chief, Scandia Fire & Rescue Performed a variety of technical, administrative, and supervisory work in planning, organizing, incident commanding, directing and implementing fire prevention, suppression and emergency medical services to prevent or minimize the loss of life and property by fire and emergency medical conditions. Performed duties of Scandia Fire Chief on an as needed basis. Supervised the Volunteer Assistant Fire Chiefs, Volunteer Captains, and Volunteer Fire Fighters. Planned, coordinated, supervised and evaluated Fire and EMS operations. Reviewed departmental performance and effectiveness; formulates programs or policies to alleviate deficiencies. Participated in the preparation and presentation of an annual budget. Directed the implementation of the departments' budgets; plans for and reviews specifications for new or replaced equipment. Controlled the expenditure of departmental appropriations. Responded to alarms and may direct activities at the scene of major emergencies. Supervised the pre plan of buildings and other properties for fire hazards. Directed the operation of departmental in-service training activities. Planed departmental operation with respect to equipment, apparatus, and personnel. Assigned personnel and equipment to such duties and uses as the service requires; evaluated the need for and recommends the purchase of new equipment and supplies. Meet with elected or appointed officials, other Fire/EMS officials, community and business representatives and the public on all aspects of the Departments' activities. Attended conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the field; June 1996 Fire Fighter, Scandia Fire & Rescue - Volunteer Response to fire, rescue and medical emergencies. . BUSINESS MNAGEMENT EXPERIENCE 1990- Present Vice President of Operations, St Paul Corrugated Provide operational leadership for the development of corrugated steel design and construction standards. Currently accountable for attaining corporate and business goals, business objectives, safety targets, and corporate sales requirements. Accountable for establishing operations standards that maximize savings associated with material and construction practices. Operations standards are continuously developed, revised, and maintained to take advantage of evolving material and construction methods. Preparing and managing operations capital and O&M budgets exceeding eight million annually. Developing leadership, selecting and retaining a multifunctional, diversified, well- trained, motivated, and empowered workforce. Promote employee involvement in continuous learning, career planning, and enhancing Established effective working relationships with related business units and industry peer companies to maximize efficiencies and resource allocations. Attend national and regional conventions and industry seminars. 1993 — 1990 Plant Superintendent, St Paul Corrugated Responsible for managing overall plant construction operations within Minnesota. Directly supervised operations staff. EDUCATION Inver Grove Hills Community College 1979 - 1980 General Studies Stout University, Wisconsin 1980 - 1982 - Business Management Homeland Security/ Center pomestic Preparedness - ICS100, 200, 300, 700 Fire Fighter I & II Certified - MN EMT - Certified MN National Fire Academy- Fire Command and Operations Hazmat Operational Certified Washington County Fire Dept Dive Team member Emergency Vehicle Operations Certified Incident Command Line Officer Leadership program First Arriving Officer- MN Certified Served on the Scandia Public Works / Fire Hall Building Committee PROFFESIONAL AFFILIATIONS Washington County Fire Chiefs Association - Past President, Past Vice President Washington County Fire Dept Dive Team member Scandia Fire & Relief Association Trustee . January 10, 2009 Denny Seefeldt Mayor, City of Scandia 14727 209'h Street North Scandia MN 55073 Mayor Seefeldt and City Council members, I am pleased to write a letter of recommendation for Volunteer Assistant Fire Chief Jim Finnegan. For the past ten years Jim has served effectively as Scandia Fire & Rescue's Assistant Fire Chief. As such, he has been responsible for most of our fire operations and fire department administration. Jim brings thirteen years of Volunteer Fire Fighter experience and ten years Volunteer Assistant Chief experience. Jim's fire service education more than meets required qualifications for a Volunteer Fire Chief position. Jim has FFII Certification, EMT Certification, attended National Fire Academy Fire Service training, Fire Officer Operations Certification, Haz Mat Operation Certification, ICS 100, 200, 300 and 700. I am confident in recommending Assistant Chief Jim Finnegan as Scandia Fire & rescue's Volunteer Fire Chief. Sincerely, Steven V Spence Fire Chief Scandia Fire & Rescue CC City Council Members Peter Crum Connie Amos John Lindell Dolores Peterson Anne Hurlbert, City Administrator