Loading...
9.a) Volunteer Fire Chief Meeting Date: 2/17/2009 Agenda Item: � � 1 l City Council Agenda Report City of Scandia 14727 209`h St. North Scandia, MN 55073 (651)433-2274 Action Requested: Fill the upcoming vacancy in the position of Volunteer Fire Chief; specifically taking the following actions: 1) Approval of Volunteer Fire Chief Position Description 2) Appointment of Jim Finnegan as Volunteer Fire Chief Deadline/ Timeline: Fire Chief Steve Spence's resignation is effective February 23, 2009. Background: • At the February 3 meeting the Council decided to interview Assistant Fire Chief Jim Finnegan, who was recommended by the Fire Department to replace Chief Spence, at a special meeting prior to the�April 17 meeting. • Also at the February 3 meeting,the Council also received a draft position description for the Volunteer Fire Chief. Several edits have been made to incorporate changes suggested by Council member Lindell, and to format to make it easier to read (bullets.) A copy is attached. • The process for selecting a new Fire Chief 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(Minnesota Statutes 412.221 Subd. 17). The Council has established a committee to recommend new governing documents. In the meantime, the Committee has recommended that the Council proceed with appointment of a Fire Chief for a four-year term. � Appointment of a new Assistant Chief(assuming that there is a vacancy caused by the Chief appointment) would occur at subsequent meeting(tentatively, March 17). • Because the committee will be reviewing job descriptions, hiring and promotion procedures,personnel policies, etc. there may be some changes from the process used for these appointments in the new policies that will be developed. These, and any changes to job description(s), would require Council approval. Page 1 of 2 02/12/09 Recommendation: I recommend that the Council: 1) approve the Volunteer Fire Chief Position Description; and 2) appoint Jim Finnegan as Volunteer Fire Chief effective February 24, 2009 for a tenn ending December 31, 2012. Attachments/ • Draft Volunteer Fire Chief Position Description Materials provided: . Resume, Jim Finnegan • Letter Dated January 7, 2009 from City Attorney David Hebert Contact(s): Prepared by: Anne Hurlburt, Administrator _ (fire chief appointment) Page 2 of 2 02/12/09 Scandia Fire & Rescue Volunteer Fire Chief Position Description GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Performs a variety of technical, administrative, and supervisory duties 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 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 and City Council. • Plans and implements Fire and EMS programs for the City in order to better carry out City policies and goals. , • Maintains policies and supervises the discipline and conduct and general behavior of supervised personnel. • Reviews departmental performance 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 and makes recommendations to the Council 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. Volunteer Fire Chief Job Description � For Council Approval 2/17/09 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. - • Four (4) years prior work experience of a progressively responsible nature in fire fighting and prevention and emergency medical services. • Four (4) years supervisory experience. Fire service supervision preferred. • FFI & FFII State of MN Certified • First Responder Certified, EMT preferred KNOWLEDGE. SKILLS & ABILTIES: • 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 • 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 license • 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 Volunteer Fire Chief Job Description 2 For Council Approval 2/17/09 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 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 required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. � The employee must 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 perForm 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. Volunteer Fire Chief Job Description 3 For Council Approval 2/17/09 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 HEBCRT AND WELCH, P.A. A"1'1'ORNEY'S AT LA\�l� TO��'N SC�UARE 20 NOR"1'H IAKE;STREET,SUI"I'E 30 t F'OREST LAKE, MN 55U25 Phone: (651)964-3397 P�u: (651)464-8664 UA\�'lU K.IiLBFH"f MICIU�ISL A l�VE1,CH Jai�uary 7, 2009 Mr. Dennis D. Se.efeldt, Mayor City of Scandia 14727 209`h Street North Scandia, MN 55073 - Re: Fr.re Deparh»ent Malters Dear Mr. Seefeldt: In light of the pending resignation of Steve Spence as Fire Chief of the Scandia Fire Depattment, you have asked for a legal opinion as to the method of naming a successor chief. The Eire Deparcment was established by a Resolution/Ordinance of the New Scandia Town Board dated September 29, 1952. The Ordinance provides that the chief shall be appointed by the Town Board for an indefinite period of time. lt also provided that the assistant chiefs and all other operational officers shall be appointed by the chief. Minnesota Statutes y�'412.221 Subd. 17 pertaining to the powers of statutory citie5 provides that the council shall have the power to establish a fire department, appoint its officen and members and prescribe their duties, and provide fire apparatus. A League of Minnesota Cities Bulle�in entitied "Fire Depanment Bylaws, Who's In Charge'?" discusses fire department bylaws which provide for election of offieers and definition of the roles of such officers. The bulletin states, "Fire department elections need to be eliminated all together, whether it is the election of new fire fighters or officers." The bulletin indicates thal while the election proce�s may be deeply established in fire department practices, in most cities only the city council is authorized to hire employees, including volunteer fire fighters. The exception is cities where the city manager or administrator is authorized to hire employeeti. The hulletin states that in no case may employees be hired by a vote of other employees. The Fire Department is a department of the City and the members of the department should be subject to the personnel policies of the City. The members of the Fire Department may, of course, furnish the City Council with t}�eir opinions as to member appointees and the perso��s best suited to serve as officers of the Fire Department. Based on the fore��oing, it is my opinion that City Council aciion is reyuired to appoint lhc officers and members of the Fire Department_ We recognize that volimteer fire departments have, in the pa�t, acted as independent e��tities. It is no��� necessary for liahility and �thcr i•ea>on5 that the City and the Fire Department operate in compliance with state statute and the policies and procedu►-es adoptetl by the City Council. I am attachin� ihe League of Minnesota Cities' Bulletin for additional guida�ace vn fire department policieti and procedures. Sincerely yours, HEBERT AND WELCH, P. A. �r.��i..�,..�,.,7���' ,t'�t.:�'�'c,:��� _ David K. Heberi � DKH:Ip Enclosures