Adopt Resolution #15-05-123 to Hire Paid-on-call Firefighters

The purpose of this case is to request authorization to hire eight 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 Saturday, February 7, 2015, followed by interviews, background checks, reference checks, physical agility tests, work-style assessments, pre-employment physicals, and drug screens. At this time, eight candidates have successfully passed the requirements to become  city of Ramsey Paid-on-call Firefighters. All eligible candidates will be subject to a 1-year probationary period.

If approved, the eight firefighters listed above will be assigned to the following stations: four to Station #1, three to Station #2, and one  to Station #3.

This year the majority of the costs associated with the pre-employment work style assessments, medical exams and drug screens will be reimbursed through the Anoka County Recruitment and Retention Grant. The grant will reimburse the City up to $1600.00 per firefighter once they are certified at the Firefighter II level.  In our case, the estimated value is anticipated to be near $8000.

Option #1:   To hire Tyler Burshem, Nicholas Kintigh, Thomas Lyon, Jr., Michael Rouse, Jeremy Strecker, Kelly. Sinton, Jason Sufka, and Matthew  Tjosaas 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 2015 budget and per the Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Nowthen, the City will be reimbursed for a portion of the salaries for these positions.  In addition, the grant through the Anoka County Recruitment and Retention program will reimburse the City for a portion of the pre-employment testing costs once the new firefighters are certified at the Firefighter II level.

Staff recommends hiring Tyler Burshem, Nicholas Kintigh, Thomas Lyon, Jr., Michael Rouse, Jeremy Strecker, Kelly Sinton, Jason Sufka, and Matthew Tjosaas as Paid-on-call Firefighters at $12.88 per hour effective May 13, 2015.

Motion to approve resolution #15-05-123 hiring Tyler Burshem, Nicholas Kintigh, Thomas Lyon, Jr., Michael Rouse, Jeremy Strecker, Kelly Sinton, Jason Sufka, and Matthew Tjosaas as Paid-on-call Firefighters at $12.88 per hour effective May 13, 2015.