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Home My WebLink AboutRES2024-065 Additional Firefighterf i Sponsored by: Sorensen CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2024-065 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ESTABLISH AN ADDITIONAL FULL-TIME PAID FIREFIGHTER/EMT POSITION WHEREAS, in the 2023 budget cycle the first full-time, paid City of Seward Firefighter/EMT was approved and is currently providing four 10-hour days coverage; and WHEREAS, at the November 12, 2024 City Council meeting, Council approved adding an additional full-time firefighter position; and WHEREAS, adding one additional position still does not cover 24-hour response that has become the responsibility of the two exempt employees, the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief or paid overtime by non-exempt staff; and WHEREAS, having trained personnel on duty ready to respond immediately with life- saving equipment saves precious time; and WHEREAS, the value of having full-time paid Firefighter/EMTs on staff is overwhelmingly supported by historical data; and WHEREAS, these paid firefighters also perform much needed daily maintenance on the fire station and apparatus; and WHEREAS, the need for volunteer firefighters will continue and always .be a part of the City of Seward Fire and Emergency services, and WHEREAS, at the November 12, 2024 City Council meeting, Council also directed administration to create a resolution for another position, making a total of three full-time paid positions; and WHEREAS, this position is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan in providing public safety and the community's expectations that when they dial 911, they will receive prompt, professional fire and emergency services. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that: Section 1. The City Manager is hereby authorized to establish a full-time, paid position titled Firefighter/EMT (Grade 7) in the Fire Department. Section 2. Funding in the amount of $104,800 will be appropriated as a part of the FY25/26 City's Operating Budget under Fire Department salaries & benefits account no. 01000-1220-6000. CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2024-065 Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska this 25th day of November 2024. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTEST: THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA Sue McClure, Mayor Crites, Finch, Barnwell, Wells, Osenga, Warner, McClure None None None Kris Peck City Clerk (City Seal) `•t'IIaurs, S E ea/GU FOt• ®: SEAL • • —�— t •dol'grEO;p. A` ••. ' D 0 City Council Agenda Statement Meeting Date: November 25, 2024 To: City Council Through: Kat Sorensen, City Manager From: Clinton Crites, Fire Chief Subject: Resolution 2024-065: Authorizing the City Manager to Establish an Additional Full -Time Paid Firefighter/EMT Position Background and justification: During the 2022 budget process, City Council approved one full-time Firefighter/EMT position to begin in 2023. This was critically needed and achieved the desired effect of improving maintenance and response in 2024. However, the fire department still lacks sufficient volunteers to rapidly respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At the November 12, 2024 City Council Meeting, the Council passed a resolution to add another Firefighter/EMT position and directed administration to bring back a resolution at the subsequent November 25 meeting for an additional Firefighter/EMT position for a total of three full-time paid positions. These positions are necessary for the health and safety of our community and their value is overwhelmingly supported by historical data. This position will also help alleviate some of the burden of the less demanding calls that create burn -out in our already taxed volunteers and exempt staff. The City of Seward Volunteer Fire Department has experienced a great turnover in volunteers in the last 10 years partly due to housing, transient population, aging out, two-family income job requirements, and a generational and sociological conditions change in the way the community sees volunteerism. There is still a need to have a rapid response immediately to fires and emergency medical incidents such as cardiac arrest and fires where seconds and minutes have a great influence on the outcome of that emergency and relying on volunteers to respond from home, get to the station, respond in the apparatus can truly mean the difference in life and death. Having paid personnel on duty ready to respond immediately with life-saving equipment saves precious minutes, whereas the need for volunteer firefighters will continue and always be a part of the City of Seward Fire and Emergency services. These paid firefighters also perform much needed daily maintenance on the fire station and apparatus that otherwise administrative staff cannot address due to other administrative and operational duties. Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information This legislation is consistent with (citation listed): Comprehensive Plan: 2.2.9 Strategic Plan: Other: 3.7.1.3 Total amount of funds listed in this legislation: $ This legislation (✓): Creates revenue in the amount of: Creates expenditure in amount of: Creates a savings in the amount of: $ Has no fiscal impact X Funds are (✓): Budgeted X Line item(s): Not budgeted Not applicable $ $ 104,800 FY25_26 City's Operating Budget under Fire Department salaries & benefits account no. 01000-1220-6000 MIL A Fund Balance Information Affected Fund (✓): General Boat Harbor Motor Pool X Available Fund Balance SMIC Parking Other Electric Water $ Wastewater Healthcare Note: amounts are unaudited Finance Director Signature: X Yes Attorney Signature: Not applicable Comments: Attorney Review Administration Recommendation X Adopt Resolution Other: