Authorization to Hire a Captain of Fire Administration and Restructure the Fire Department 

The purpose of this case is to authorize hiring a full-time Captain of Fire Administration and restructure the Fire Department by eliminating the 27 hour per week Fire Technician position.
 
As the City Council is aware, Fire Technician, Ms. Ann Marie Busack, submitted a letter of resignation.   Her last day with the City was July 15, 2022. Staff was aware of the likelihood of this change and discussed an alternative strategy to fill the gap in staffing with the City Council during the work session meeting on July 12, 2022.  
 
The following information was shared at the July 12, 2022 work session meeting:  The Fire Department staffing levels have not increased since 2018. Since that time, we have seen increases in calls for service and city growth with the addition of residential/commercial properties.  This fulltime responding position will absorb the duties of the part time Fire Technician to include managing the department's Record Management System and other department software programs, preparing and submitting department payroll and completing fire incident input and verifying data for state submittal.
 
In addition, this position will respond to daytime calls for service, which have grown 17.5% per year over the last 4 years. Other duties will include meeting the logistical requirements of the department. This includes, but is not limited to ensuring the department is in a continual state of readiness by implementing plans for equipment repair, replacement and preventative maintenance, fleet maintenance and maintaining inventory control.

By consensus, the City Council gave staff permission to restructure the Fire Department and to begin a recruitment for a full-time Captain of Fire Administration.   Staff  conducted an internal recruitment within the Fire Department and interviewed five candidates.   Staff is recommending Mr. Jason Sufka for the full-time position.  Mr. Sufka is an E.M.T. and has been on the Ramsey Fire Department since 2015.  

Attached:   Minutes from the July 12, 2022 work-session. 

The funding for this position in 2022 will come from the savings of the vacant position and approximately $16,513 from the Fire Department's general budget.   This figure is based on the candidate giving a two-week notice to his current employer.  A four-week notice may be necessary, in which case the 2022 funding will be slightly less than listed. The 2023 funding would be included in the annual budget.
 

To hire Mr. Jason Sufka as a full-time Captain of Fire Administration, effective on or near September 12, 2022, at $41.703 per hour, which is step 5 of the 2022 pay scale with a credit of 5 vacation days.
 
 

Motion to hire Mr. Jason Sufka as a full-time Captain of Fire Administration, effective on or near September 12, 2022, at $41.703 per hour, which is step 5 of the 2022 pay scale with a credit of 5 vacation days.