9.b1 Staff Report 2021 Hiring Approval
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: January, 19 2021
To: City Council
From: Mike Hinz, Fire Chief
Re: Firefighter recruiting for 2021
Background:
Scandia Fire & Rescue is a POC (paid on call) fire department. We currently have a staff of 22 firefighters (3 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. We try to take new members on in June so that the
member has some time to understand the commitment that we require before their first training class starts in the fall.
In fall they will begin either firefighter 1 & 2, or they will start Emergency Medical Technician.
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;
• January 19th - City council approve recruiting of up to 5 new members
• February 15th – April 3rd = Take applications (active recruiting)
• April 11th – 16th = Review applications (Fire Officers)
• April 18th – 23rd = Interviews (Mike H, Bill H, Ian S & Ken C.)
• April 24th = Physicals at fire station (Officers & all members)
• April 26th – 30th = Second interview if needed (Mike H, Bill H, Ian S, Ken C.)
• May 5th = Council approval (pending medical exam)
• May 10th – 21st = Medical exam (Osceola Hospital)
• May 23rd = 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 will be made May 1st. Waiting could
cause further under staffing problems.