10-13-25-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ENSURE EFFECTIVE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO FIRE AND MEDICAL EMERGENCIES IN OUR CONTRACT CITIES With crews of three, first arriving apparatus can proceed when the second apparatus arrives, giving them two -in and two -out to meet guidelines for safety. As our response area continues to develop, we can expect call volumes to rise as they have historically increased, leading to more calls that over- lap. Increasing the minimum participation hours required of part-time staff in each quarter to try and offset this will likely lead to more members leaving the department and be counterproductive to our efforts. 0 Personnel 0 2 Personnel 0 3 Personnel 100 80 60 40 Recent calls for service have highlighted the risk or reduced efficiency of staffing 20 with two personnel on shift. During a re- cent wildland fire, the first arriving appara- tus was staffed with two personnel. This was a fast moving fire, and the deployment 0 012025 0_42024 0_32024 of a handline to stop the spread of the fire needed to be su lemented with additional 02 2024 pp STATION 130 STAFFING LEVELS BY PERCENTAGE crews and was challenging for all the per- sonnel. Limited access and the terrain made it difficult for small crews to be effective. Ultimately the fire grew rapidly and multiple mutual aid departments were called in to assist. A recent fire at a multi -unit townhome posed challenges for the first arriving engine. The Captain had to conduct a size -up while the apparatus operator managed the initial fire attack line - deploying it to the needed location, then returning to charge it. Despite strong performance from the crews, having an additional crew member would enhance efficiency and safety on the fireground. Addressing this challenge is the most important strategic objective facing the department. Staffing the department with more full-time members reduces the variability of staffing and helps us meet the existing needs. The loss of part-time membership due to retirement, career advancement and personal commitments is a recurring issue, and while understandable, is not easily filled with hiring new part-time staff who require months, if not a year to become fully trained. Incremental hiring timelines help the department align staffing with operational needs, while gradu- ally reducing reliance on part-time personnel. With fewer total personnel, the department can reduce expenses on training programs, turnout gear, and equipment purchases. Additionaly, many of our subscription -based services - such as scheduling platforms and online training platforms - are priced according to staff size. 13