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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JUNE 20, 2022 2 office manager position handles HR, payroll, etc. and there is a need for additional help in that area. Deputy Chief Sather stated that four staffing options were presented to the Board of Directors, with Option #2 being the recommendation from the Fire Department: Option #1 - Hire 40-50 Additional Part -Time Firefighters Option #2 - Hire 6 Full -Time Captains/3 Full -Time Shift Commanders Option #3 - Transition to an All -Career Fire Department Option #4 - Maintain current model Further discussion ensued regarding specifics of the options. Deputy Chief Sather noted the Fire Board supported Option #2, which would need support from the member cities and be broken into phases. Option #2, Phase 1 includes applying for a SAFER grant through FEMA and hiring six full-time captains. Discussion continued regarding the SAFER grant, and how the grant would apply to staffing. Assistant Chief Nordeen explained the differences between Captains and other staff. Deputy Chief Sather stated that once they add nine additional full-time positions they won't need part-time Lieutenant positions, but that could be years from now. He noted that the cities will have 30 days from the date of the grant being awarded to accept the award or lose the funding. Councilmember Holmes suggested that the fire department not come to all medical emergencies, and only go to life threatening ones. Deputy Chief Sather responded that often times when they get to a call the emergency is more severe than what the dispatcher classified it as based on the information the caller gave. Councilmember Holmes stated the City can't afford the 14% increase. Councilmember Holden asked what happens if they are at a non -emergency call (Alpha) and they get a call for a medical emergency (Echo for example). She stated that according to the annual report 40% of the medical calls were A and B's. Deputy Chief Sather said once they make patient contact they can't leave until someone of equal or higher training gets there. If they don't make patient contact they are free to leave and go to a different call. As soon as an ambulance comes they can leave. Assistant Chief Nordeen added they have a response agreement with Vadnais Heights and Roseville where if both of their crews are tied up on non -emergency calls and they get an emergency call, they can ask Roseville to take care of the more emergent call. Mayor Grant asked if a six -minute response is typical. Deputy Chief Sather said their average response time for Arden Hills is 5:54, the median time is 5:51. The new location will change the coverage area response time to be more equal and will get