2002_0128_packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

�� ` � November 6,200 1 To Roseville's active and retired firefighters, I want to take this opporiunity to thank each and every active and retireci firefighter for your patience, your professionalism and your understanding as we work through how changes in the world affect the way we conduct our business. As you know, we are changing how we view security of our firefighters, our fire appacatus and tire stations. This task is being accomplished through the contributions of a task force whose recommendations are reviewed and approved by the seven-member chiefs staf£ And while the efforts of the task force and my associate chiefs are valuable input, the authority and responsibility to implement departmental policy lies solely with me. It is on that point that I would like to offer my sincerest apology to our retired members for implementing a policy that did not adequately consider your needs. While it was not the intention of the policy to completely restrict access to the fire stations from our retired members,' it certainly was the perception and for that, I respectfully offer my apologies to all of our retired members. Likewise, the policy did not address the ability of non-married members to allow for a visitation from a"significant other." Many of our retired members served as chief officers of this department. And as such, you know that it's not always easy to affect change, and sometimes, we make mistakes. 1 made a mistake and I ask that you'll accept this error in the same gracious manner in which I admit it. Feedback on our new security policy, provided by way of a couple letters sent to Roseville's elected and appointed officials, have now, unfortunately, raised new questions and concerns about the City's liability for perniitt;ng non- employee access to city work sites as well as the city's obligation to ensure their worksites remain productive environments for employees. This new issue is completely unrelated to the heightened security the policy intended to address. We did not anticipate these issues and are now facing new challenges for how and when to permit guests to access the fire stations. That aside, l want to clarify that retired members, as well as the "significant other" of our members will be afforded the same invitation to visit our tire stations as is permitted to our own family members. To review, visitations for family members, including retirees and "significant others" will be permitted while an active firefighter is present and shall be limited to 30 minutes. Thank you once again for your continued patience, professionalism, and understanding during these very trying times. Sincerely, ��J �lti`� Z�rLI�� R�chard B. asa ay /� Fire Chief �/ cc: Mayor and City Council Council Candidates City Manager Deputy Chiefs District Chiefs 2bb0 Civic Center Drive ❖ Roseville e• Minnesota :• 55113 651-490-2200 ❖ TDD 651-490-2207