Authorization to Hire a Firefighter/Fire Technician

The purpose of this case is to request the City Council's authorization to hire a full-time Firefighter/Fire Technician.  

Background: As City Council will recall, this position was discussed during the annual budget-setting process and is necessary in order to keep up with the continued increase in the Fire Department's call volume. This new hybrid position performs emergency response duties as a Firefighter and administrative, technical, and customer-service functions as a Fire Technician. Duties include responding to fire, medical, rescue, and hazardous materials incidents; assisting with training and equipment maintenance; and providing administrative support to fire department operations, including records management, data reporting, customer service, and permit processing. This role supports the mission and strategic initiatives of the Ramsey Fire Department.                

The City Council approved the new role and staff conducted a recruitment to fill the position.  The top candidate, Mr. Jaydon Weckman has been a paid on-call firefighter since January 2023.  Mr. Weckman passed the city's pre-employment hiring process and is recommended for the position.   As a non-union employee, Mr. Weckman will be subject to a one-year probationary period and the terms of the city's Personnel Policy.

The funding required to fill this position is included in the approved 2026 budget.

Authorize hiring Mr. Jaydon Weckman as a full-time Firefighter/Fire Technician, effective on or near March 2, 2026, at $31.22 per hour, which is step 2 of the 2026 pay scale.

Motion to hire Mr. Jaydon Weckman as a full-time Firefighter/Fire Technician, effective on or near March 2, 2026, at $31.22 per hour, which is step 2 of the 2026 pay scale.