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96 This does not allow for them to be mobile, complete tasks and projects while on-shift, and allow for a 97 dedicated incident commander on duty as often as possible. When a Battalion Chief is assigned to a 98 large apparatus due to minimum staffing, they have to function in a company officer role. With this new 99 staffing model we will see a marked increase in the frequency the Battalion Chief is able to staff their 100 response vehicle and perform incident command. Having the Battalion Chief more available for incident 101 command responsibilities, as well as less tied to day-to-day response on a large apparatus, is 102 advantageous to the success of the department and mitigation of emergency incidents. Battalion Chiefs 103 provide support in a wide range of administrative tasks and responsibilities, including fleet and 104 equipment management, departmental training, EMS quality control, and other areas. When they are 105 heavily involved in responding to emergency incidents on a fire engine, it creates gaps in administrative 106 projects and a lack of supervision and direction for the entire shift. 107 108 Our current on-duty staffing model is falling behind many of our peers of like size and services. Agencies 109 around the metro are or have already transitioned to a full-time model as well as investing significantly 110 into increasing their daily staffing. Currently the Roseville Fire Department is falling behind our peers 111 when we assess calls per on-duty firefighter and emergency calls per on-duty staffed response unit. As 112 an example, in 2024, the Roseville Fire Department averaged 2514 emergency calls per staffed 113 response unit. This number was higher than six other peer agencies: Maplewood (2027 calls), Eagan 114(1705 calls), Richfield (1695 calls), South Metro (1623 calls), Edina (1468 calls), and Oakdale (1360 115 calls). In 2018, utilizing call volume and staffed number of units (2), Roseville Fire averaged 2,484 calls 116 per staffed unit. In 2024 we surpassed our 2018 existence, which precipitated and was the catalyst for 117 “Phase II” staffing enhancement program. In addition, if you were to assess calls per on-duty 118 firefighter, Roseville is more than 350 calls per staffed firefighter higher than our next closest peer 119(Maplewood). 120 121 The role of a firefighter within the Roseville Fire Department is a physically and emotionally demanding 122 occupation. The employment of a sufficient number of full-time firefighters facilitates the equitable 123 distribution of tasks, thereby mitigating individual stress levels and reducing burnout. This contributes to 124 better mental health for responders, which is essential for maintaining the long-term sustainability of 125 emergency services. Adding an additional response unit and more full-time firefighters will directly 126 enhance the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of the department’s operations, ensuring that the 127 community receives the highest level of service in emergency response. The additional staffed 128 apparatus will play an important role in serving our staff as much as our community. It would provide a 129 more suitable rotation of positions and decreasing the average calls responded to by a staffed unit and 130 on-duty firefighter. As shown in 2023 and 2024 data, the Roseville Fire Department has a higher 131 demand for calls per on-duty firefighter and staffed response unit than all of our regional comparisons. 132 From improving response times to better workforce management, increased safety, and more proactive 133 public education, increasing staffing levels is a critical step toward creating a safer and more resilient 134 Roseville. It is believed that this staffing model will aid in firefighter retention. 135 136 As noted, one negative impact of a high call volume is its detriments on response time. When the 137 department is in situations where we have simultaneous and overlapping calls there are frequent 138 situations in which we have to work quickly to clear one call to respond to another and sometimes we 139 are unable to clear the call quickly causing significant delays. The current response times exceed our 140 department’s expectations and objectives. Furthermore, the rushed and expedited clearance of certain 141 calls may not always be in the best interest of patients, residents, or business owners within the City. 142 The additional staffed ladder truck should help disburse call volume load, allowing improved readiness of 143 staff, therefore not forcing our units to be in situations where all units are on a response when another 144 call comes in. The goal of this enhancement is not only to handle the call volume distribution now and 145 into the future, but to bring down the overall response time of the department; which is currently 9:15 at th 146 the 90 percentile; it was just over 8:30 in 2023. One of the goals of this staffing enhancement is to 147 bring this down and more in line with national NFPA standards for Fire Department response. 148 149 While call volume is one critical item for consideration of staffing growth, it should be noted that the high 150 call volume not only has the department running constantly but often results in being in difficult positions 151 to provide the most appropriate and equitable response. From the 2023 and 2024 data the Fire Page 3 of 6 Qbhf!9!pg!363