City of Gonzales
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: January 18, 2022
FROM: Rene Mendez, City Manager
SUBJECT: Limited Term Firefighter Positions Permanent
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends your Council consider and:
• Approve making the three existing 8-month Limited Term Firefighter positions permanent; and • Authorize the City Manager with concurrence of Finance, to make the necessary budget adjustments within the Fire Department to fund the additional personnel, adjust the City’s Classification Plan, and adjust the authorized strength of the Department.
BACKGROUND
The Council approved the hiring of three seasonal Firefighters (limited term) as part of the FY 2021-2022 budget. These seasonal positions were needed to maintain the standard of coverage and provide for emergency response during the time of year when over 50% of our volunteer firefighters take seasonal positions with CAL FIRE and are unavailable to work for our Fire Department. Since the seasonal positions were authorized, the Fire Department has lost several more Volunteer Firefighters to other agencies and employment opportunities. Our volunteer firefighting force has been reduced to 3 Firefighters that will be available to work shifts and maintain coverage. Prior to the hiring of the Limited Term Firefighters, we have relied on our Volunteer Firefighters as part of regular duty crew; however, we no longer have a sufficient number of volunteers to make that possible.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
With the low number of available Volunteer Firefighters, it is challenging to provide safe and effective emergency response without adding permanent firefighters or forcing a large amount of overtime on the existing paid staff. The California fire season continues to increase in severity and duration each year causing the state to hire additional seasonal firefighters to offset the threat, this has led to a shortage of AGENDA
ITEM
26 trained firefighters available. Many of our volunteers take seasonal positions with CAL FIRE because of the excellent pay and benefits, as well as the opportunity to have seasonal employment become a full-time position. It is difficult for our department to attract and retain firefighters because we cannot offer either the pay, or the opportunities for advancement. The trend with volunteer firefighters leaving is not unique to our department and is expected to continue in the future. In addition, unlike years ago, the amount of training and certification to be a Volunteer Firefighter has increased to the point that only Fire Academy graduates with EMT certification are eligible. These certifications also make these firefighters eligible for full time and seasonal employment with other agencies, which makes it harder to recruit, maintain and/or retain volunteer. Because of the above factors, the system we have created by providing service through a strong and dedicated Volunteer Firefighting force is no longer sustainable.
As a result, the recommendation is to make the 8-month limited term positions full-time and permanent.
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small-town charm.
Explain: Our Volunteer Fire Department has always been a strong part of our heritage and the community. Our Volunteers Firefighters have served to the best of their ability; however, fulltime positions must be added in order to continue to provide the best service to our residents. We will continue to maintain a small Volunteer force to supplement our efforts and provide a stable of qualified firefighters for replacement or future positions.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment, and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community.
Explain: Providing the Fire Department the necessary resources to meet the demand of providing safe and effective emergency response, improves the quality of life for everyone in the community.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful, and friendly manner to ensure the safety and well being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Explain: While the costs associated with permanent firefighter positions are not unsubstantial, they are necessary to continue to provide quality service. Every effort will be made to keep overtime costs to a minimum, and some of the costs will be offset by scaling back the Volunteer Firefighter program.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety X Yes No N/A
• Housing Yes No X N/A
• Recreation Yes No X N/A
• Environment Yes No X N/A
• Education Yes No X N/A
Explain: Please see above.
ALTERNATIVES
If the Council decides not to approve the permanent Firefighter positions, coverage would be maintained using career personnel on overtime and working the remaining Volunteer Firefighters as much as possible. Our Volunteer Firefighters that are not already part of the PERS system are limited to one thousand hours of work annually, so it is likely they will reach the annual limits very quickly. This option is also not recommended due to the fact there will be no allowance for sick or vacation time by the career staff and could lead to fatigue and injuries.
BUDGET IMPACT
The salary and benefit costs of shifting the 3 part-time 8-month positions to 3 permanent Firefighter positions for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2021-2022 will be approximately $87,000, and full year $261,000. There will be no additional costs for training, physicals, or equipment since that is already part of the budget.
Also, as your Council is aware, the Measure K Advisory Committee approved $100,000 in funding for the 8-month positions, and it is staff’s intent to bring forward to the Advisory Committee fully funding the three positions on annual basis or at a minimum request an additional $100,000. The use of these funds for this purpose is consistent with existing and past uses in that it would not be used to supplant existing expenditures but enhance and increase programs and services to the Community.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends your Council consider and:
• Approve making the three existing 8-month Limited Term Firefighter positions permanent; and • Authorize the City Manager with concurrence of Finance, to make the necessary budget adjustments within the Fire Department to fund the additional personnel, adjust the City’s Classification Plan, and adjust the authorized strength of the Department.