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<br />Special Joint Study Session: Roseville Citizen Commission Chairs, Department Heads, City Council <br />Saturday, 02/07/04, Harriet Alexander Nature Center, 2520 North Dale Street, Roseville, MN <br />Discussion Notes - Page 9 <br /> <br />Fire Chief Gasaway provided an overview of the <br />department, with only four (4) full-time officers (i.e., Fire <br />Chief, Assistant Chief, Fire Marshal, Fire Prevention <br />Officer), and the remainder were part-time firefighters (71). <br />Chief Gasaway reviewed department response times; <br />training; equipment; professionalism and quality of <br />firefighters; ratio of staffing, estimating that 85% of the time <br />staffing was available, but that 15% of the time the <br />department was not well-staffed, and this was usually <br />daytime, due to other work responsibilities. <br /> <br />Chief Gasaway highlighted the department's Mission <br />Statement to "prevent" fires; which accounted for their <br />continued involvement in more than 130 community events <br />to discuss prevention. Chief Gasaway commended the <br />department's firefighter staff, noting their eagerness and <br />dedication. <br /> <br />Weaknesses <br /> <br />1. Inability to implement creative improvements to <br /> services that do not require additional funding <br />2. Need for funding to implement a firefighter health <br /> and fitness program <br />3. Inability to attract quality daytime available <br /> candidates to serve as paid-on-call firefighters <br />4. Inconsistent supervision of firefighters working shifts <br /> <br />Chief Gasaway noted the inability to implement creative <br />improvements, due to budget constraints, has created a <br />morale issue, creating some tension and frustration within <br />the department. <br /> <br />Chief Gasaway noted that, in recent firefighter exams, four <br />firefighters were alerted to potential health risks that were <br />able to have preventative measures provided. Chief <br />Gasaway noted that additional physical and nutrition <br />education program were needed, with a focus on fit and <br />healthy firefighters. <br /> <br />Chief Gasaway noted the inability to attract quality daytime <br />