8.c1 Staff Report 2020 Hiring Approval
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: December, 17 2019
To: City Council
From: Mike Hinz, Fire Chief
Re: Firefighter recruiting for 2020
Background:
Scandia Fire & Rescue is a POC (paid on call) fire department. We currently have a staff of 22 firefighters (4 of these
are on probation until June). We feel that a reasonable staffing level is 30 members. This number has proven to be
adequate in the past. 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 15 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;
• December 17th - City council approve recruiting of up to 5 new members
• February 24th - March 20th = Take applications (active recruiting)
• March 26th – 31st = Review applications (Fire Officers)
• April 6th – 10th = Interviews (Mike H, Bill H, Ian S & Ken C.)
• April 18th Physicals at fire station (Officers & all members)
• April 22nd – 28th = Second interview if needed (Mike H, Bill H, Ian S, Ken C.)
• May 6th = Council approval (pending medical exam)
• May 11th – 15th = Medical exam (Osceola Hospital)
• May 17th = Family Meeting (All)
• June 1st = 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, 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.