Adopt Resolution #14-03-053 to Hire Paid-On-Call Fire Fighters

The purpose of this case is to request authorization to hire seven replacement Paid-on-call Firefighters in order to bring each of the three Fire Department stations to within acceptable staffing levels.  

Station Staffing Capacity
Station #1 / 20 Firefighters
Station #2 / 20 Firefighters
Station #3 / 15 Firefighters

A firefighter orientation meeting was held on December 7, 2013, followed by  interviews, background checks, reference checks, physical agility tests, work-style assessments, pre-employment physicals, and drug screens. At this time, seven candidates have successfully passed the requirements to become a city of Ramsey Firefighter. All eligible candidates will be subject to a 1-year probationary period.

If approved, the seven firefighters listed below will be assigned as follows:  Three to Station #1, Two to Station #2, and Two to Station #3.

Option #1:   Hiring Jason DeRosa, Mark Hager, Raymond Junge, Kelly LaForce, Bryant Louden, Vladimir Panko, and Dilan Van Avery as Paid-on-call Firefighters in order to continue to provide the necessary public safety responses to the City of Ramsey and the City of Nowthen.

Option #2:  Not moving ahead with hiring replacement Paid-on-Call Firefighters at this time.  Staff does not recommend this option due to the risk of reduced public safety services and the risk of losing a qualified applicant pool and resources spent thus far.

The funding to hire the above mentioned firefighters is included in the 2014 budget and per the Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Nowthen, the City of Ramsey will be reimbursed for a portion of the salaries for these positions.

Staff recommends hiring Jason DeRosa, Mark Hager, Raymond Junge, Kelly LaForce, Bryant Louden, Vladimir Panko, and Dilan Van Avery as Paid-on-call Firefighters at $12.88 per hour effective March 12, 2014.

Motion to approve the hiring of Jason DeRosa, Mark Hager, Raymond Junge, Kelly LaForce, Bryant Louden, Vladimir Panko, and Dilan Van Avery as Paid-on-call Firefighters at $12.88 per hour effective March 12, 2014.