League of Women Voters Roseville Fire Department 2003 and Beyond

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APPENDIX 2 Carol Sletner paramedic/firefighters, he told us Also attending: Fire Chief Richard about $120,000-$140,000 per year. Study Committee Notes Gasaway At the present time, beginning vol- and Interviews unteer firefighters earn$7 per hour. Police are the 1St responders to 911 Raising the starting pay to $11 per We began our study with a commit- calls. Police are in the community hour would cost the city about tee meeting on May 28, 2002 to dis- all the time, and usually 2 cars $340,000. There are presently four cuss the scope of our study.A list of respond to calls (includes CPR & volunteers who are also city questions was prepared to submit to defibulator). Response time is usu- employees including the Fire Fire Chief Gasaway. He answered ally within four minutes. There are Marshal and Fire Inspector. They do 21 of our questions with clear and 46-49 police in Roseville's depart- not go "off the clock" for the city concise written answers and also ment.All are full-time officers. when on fire calls. (The expectation sent supporting documents.A list of Police cannot transport. Carol sug- is to make up time missed for fire follow-up questions and the follow- gests we take a position based on a calls.)The Fire Chief decides on the ing meetings were set up. national standard. number of calls/hours firefighters August 20, 2002 October 23, 2002 must respond (presently 30%). He Met with: Tim O'Neill,Assistant Met with: Neal Beets, Roseville suggested hiring at least some full- Fire Chief City Manager time firefighters/EMT personnel, Tim informed us that our emer- The question of pay rates for volun- increase pay for volunteers with gency PSA(Primary Service Area) teer firefighters was raised.The extra pay for weekend duty and ambulance is located in Vadnais City is doing a Compensation Study change the pension vesting time to Heights. He (as well as Chief for all city employees, including 5-7 years. Gasaway) recommends a combina- firefighters. Employees of the city December 17, 2002 tion full-time/volunteer firefighter are neither encouraged nor discour- Met with: Jim Tschida with the team with 7-9 people on call 24 aged to become volunteer firefight- Roseville Firefighters Relief hours/day. Full-time firefighters ers. He suggested shortening the Association and Retired Firefighter would be cross-trained in EMS and time to vest for pension benefits, Jim Bodsgard firefighting; they still would not be and to pay market rate to volun- One of the benefits of volunteer able to transport, only stabilize and teers. Neal is in favor of a combina- firefighters is their retirement fund. administer emergency procedures. tion fire department, meaning some (Full-time fire personnel such as the St. Paul Dispatch receives all 911 full and some volunteer part-time Fire Chief are not covered by this calls that are then directed to firefighters.All full-time people fund.)To be vested, 10 years of Roseville. St. Paul is contracted to would be cross-trained as para- service are needed.At retirement, respond to hazardous materials medics and firefighters.With this the firefighters can take a lump-sum calls. Twenty percent of Roseville scenario, three separate groups payment or an annuity amount. The residents are 65 and over.At pres- could respond to each call—first fire relief fund is funded by city and ent, the Fire Department has about responder police, paramedic/fire- state contributions. Forty-eight 900 calls per year. The pay is low, fighters, and ambulance (Allina) retired firefighters from Roseville but he feels most volunteers want a with paramedics. Other options are presently drawing from the better retirement plan. The would be contracting with St. Paul, fund. There is a shortage of volun- Roseville Fire Department Strategic though loyalties may be to St. Paul teer firefighters in Roseville. It is Plan is a written document explain- and not Roseville. especially hard to find daytime vol ing the rationale and priorities of Met with: Chris Miller, Roseville unteers. The housing market here is the Fire Department.According to City Finance Director not as affordable, and starting pay is the Strategic Plan outlined in the low. Ph sical and medical exams publication, each 911 call would be Chris explained that Roseville con- Y tributed$250,000 to the are more stringent, and few employ- answered by police, firefighter/para- ers let em ploy ees leave work to medic, and then transported by Firefighter's Pension Fund in 2002, about $150,000 being state aid. This answer calls. Training required for Allina ambulance. starting volunteers is eight amount is not charged to the Fire g g October 8, 2002 Department Budget. When asked hours/week for six months. Met with: Roseville Police Chief the cost of hiring 2 cross-trained Recommendations include more League of Women Voter RoMaFH 19 Roseville Fire Department 2003&Beyond