Administrative
Report
H.13., File # 23-6700 Meeting Date: 9/5/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: PATRICK BUTLER, INTERIM FIRE CHIEF & HARBOR MASTER TITLE
APPROVE A SIDE LETTER AGREEMENT AMENDING THE JULY 1, 2020 TO JUNE 30, 2024 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE REDONDO BEACH FIREFIGHTERS’
ASSOCIATION AND THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, RENAMING THE EXISTING JOB
CLASSIFICATIONS OF DEPUTY HARBOR MASTER/BOAT CAPTAIN AND HARBOR PATROL
OFFICER TO FIRE RESCUE BOAT OPERATOR AND FIRE RESCUE BOAT SPECIALIST
RESPECTIVELY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Over the course of 50 years, the roles and responsibilities of Harbor Patrol have shifted from a traditional marine law enforcement function, with weapons and powers of arrest, to a more contemporary fire, rescue, and emergency medical services model. This shift is not reflected in the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and civil service classification. The current classifications of Deputy Harbor Master/Boat Captain (Herein referred to as Boat Captain) and Harbor Patrol Officer do not reflect the current duties and responsibilities of the assigned personnel.
Renaming the classification from Boat Captain and Harbor Patrol Officer to Fire Rescue Boat Operator, with a 5% bonus, and Fire Rescue Boat Specialist respectively, will resolve current conflicts in the MOU and better reflect the positions’ current roles and responsibilities.
BACKGROUND
The Redondo Beach Harbor Patrol Unit has been deployed according to several operating models over the past 50 years. The Unit was originally organized as a stand-alone City department, has been a unit of the Police Department, and now serves as a branch of the Fire Department. Its mission has also shifted from a law enforcement focus to marine rescue, fire, and emergency medical services. The professionalism and specialized skills of Harbor Patrol members are tailored to specifically serve the King Harbor community. They are amongst the most qualified, dedicated, and experienced operators in this unique service sector.
In 2022, the Redondo Beach Fire Department Harbor Patrol responded to 690 emergency calls for service. 56% of those were for fire, rescue, Mayday, and EMS response, while 18% of them were for marine law enforcement. The harbor personnel also occasionally respond with a paramedic squad on land-based calls in the area. This dual role allows the personnel to respond via land and sea for emergency calls for service. This provides a specialized resource with incredible value to the community with a focus on the King Harbor community, that can also, at times, serve the City at-large during critical emergencies. The Redondo Beach Fire Rescue Boat is the only paramedic qualified boat in the Santa Monica Bay, providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) skills to both the City and
H.13., File # 23-6700 Meeting Date: 9/5/2023
boat in the Santa Monica Bay, providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) skills to both the City and boating community. It is authorized by the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Authority to operate in this capacity.
In 2022, the last remaining Boat Captain retired and the Fire Chief, in collaboration with the Redondo Beach Firefighters Association (RBFA), worked to develop a new model for the harbor community that would better reflect RBFA’s mission and also provide the Fire Rescue Boat Operators with merit pay. Currently, the position of Boat Captain is filled with Paramedics and an Engineer who receive 5% acting pay, as per the current MOU. The MOU states that this type of acting assignment cannot be for a period longer than 6 months. The negotiated side-letter includes a retroactive date of January 14, 2023, to address this issue. The new Agreement will ensure that the personnel assigned to the existing Boat Captain position will be able to continue receiving the 5% merit pay without interruption and allow the department to maintain the level of service that is currently being delivered to the King Harbor community.
COORDINATION
This side letter and administrative report were coordinated with the Human Resources Department, the City Attorney’s Office, and the RBFA.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Side Letter - Amending the July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024 MOU between the RBFA and the City of Redondo Beach renaming and altering rules for two positions