League of Women Voters Roseville Fire Department 2003 and Beyond

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EMERGING ISSUES ees who served as volunteer not exceed "15 miles or 20 minutes firefighters for daytime calls travel time at maximum allowable Introduction continue to be paid for their city speed, whichever is greater."MN During the process of col- work while on a fire call, plus rules Chapter 4690.3400 lecting information about their fire call rate. (See page In 2002,Allina responded to 2,398 the fire department and 19.) requests for emergency medical emergency medical services in 5. Many young people who would services from the City of Roseville Roseville, the committee did not be possible candidates change citizens. They provided pre-arrival identify any specific complaints or jobs frequently during their first instruction in less than a minute criticisms regarding services pro- several years in the job market. response time for 1,481 calls.Allina vided. However, when presenting The general population, as well arrived for care in 10 minutes 59 information gathered to LWV as the population of Roseville, seconds or less 94.29% of the time, RoMaFH membership, and as the is much more mobile than in the community standard. On aver- committee reviewed their findings, years past. age, they were at the patient's side some questions were raised. The in 7 minutes 50 seconds.All of following subjects appear to be Vesting of Pension these services were provided at no among those needing attention in Fund For Firefighters cost to the city. the near future. The Roseville Firefighters Relief g On January 31, 2003, Neal Beets, Shortage and Retention Association (the pension fund for City Manager of Roseville asked of Volunteer Firefighters volunteer firefighters) at present Allina Medical Transportation to requires ten years of service in consider what the additional cost As information about the Fire order to be vested and 20 years for would be to respond to a medical Department was collected, the study maximum retirement benefits. State emergency in the City of Roseville committee became aware of a possi- statute requires five years of service in 3 minutes 59 seconds 90% of the ble issue concerning recruitment for vesting. It has been brought to time. and retention of a sufficient number our attention during the information of firefighters to staff the three sta- gathering stage of the study that In response,Allina presented these tions and answer fire calls.After having a shorter period of time to approaches to meet the request: meeting with current and retired "vest" could possibly help attract 1 The first proposal would add an firefighters, some of the following and/or keep volunteer firefighters in ambulance 24 hours a day, were suggested as possible factors Roseville. seven days a week within the contributing to the decrease in the City of Roseville. The ambu- number of volunteers: Response Times For lance would be staffed with a 1. It is difficult for young men and Fire Calls paramedic and an EMT. Cost women with families to find Response times for the first arriving would be $462,000 annually. affordable housing in or near fire truck are better when the area 2. The second proposal would be Roseville.All firefighters station is staffed. (See chart on page to add a single paramedic first should live within five miles of 9.) In the interview process and col-responder unit 24 hours a day, a city fire station. lection of information the commit- seven days a week. This unit tee could not identify any specific would not transport patients but 2. Since the volunteer pay per hour is relatively low and the complaints regarding response would assess the patient's con- training and time commitment times. dition and offer treatment at the relatively high, a part time job scene. If transportation were as a relatively high, firefighter time is not Allina Medical required, an ambulance would as attractive as it once was. Transportation be called. The cost annually 3. Medical and physical require- Proposals to Reduce would be about $278,000. ments are more stringent. Response Time 3. Allina could provide additional The State of Minnesota EMS 4. Few employers release their ambulance coverage on a fee employees during the day to licensing guideline requirements for for service basis. answer fire calls. City employ- response times state the time may League of Women Voter RoMaFH 14 Roseville Fire Department 2003&Beyond