5.h 2019 Firefighter hiringViCiA-MbIA
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: September 18, 2017
To: City Council
From: Mike Hinz, Fire Chief
Re: Firefighter recruiting for 2019
Background:
Scandia Fire & Rescue is a POC (paid on call) fire department. We currently have a staff of 21 firefighters (2 of
these are on probation until June & 4 until November). We feel that a reasonable staffing level is 30; this is the
number we have used for many years. Over the last few years we have had a large turn over. The roster consists of
1 chief, 2 assistant chiefs, 3 captains, 1 engineer and 14 firefighter/EMT's currently.
Issue:
Should we recruit and add up to 5 new members to the fire department roster?
We are currently under staffed
Proposal Details:
Start the process to hire up to 5 new members Time line;
• September 18 - City council approve recruiting for 5 new members
• Now - March 15th = Take applications (active recruiting)
• March 20th - 22nd =Review applications (Fire Officers)
• March 26th - April 5th = Interviews (Mike H, Bill H, Ian S & Neil S)
• April 13th Physicals at fire station (Officers & all members)
• April 22"d - 26th = Second interview if needed (Mike H, Bill H, Ian S, Neil S)
• May 1 st Council approval (pending medical exam)
• May 6th - 17th = Medical exam (Osceola Hospital)
• May 19th = Family Meeting (All)
• June 1 st = Start date (Fire Officers)
Fiscal Impact:
Staff time $200
If hired costs; Can be discussed further at the may approval meeting.
Osceola Fit test $500
Wages for the first year would be less than $5,000 for all 5 members, also offset by members that have retired.
Training cost for the first 2 years $8,000 per year for 5 recruits (firefighter & EMT training)
After 2 years turnout gear $2,000 per member
Options:
(1) Approve recruiting up to 5 new members per the time line provided
(2) Approve a different number of new members
(3) Do not approve hiring any new members
Recommendation:
Option (1) Recommend we proceed with the hiring process; final decision can be made May 1St. Waiting could
cause further under staffing problems.