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02-01-2005 - Request for City Council to Approve Special Hiring Considerations for Displaced Firefighter/ParamedicsM • City of West Covina Memorandum (Lei FROM: .Andrew G. Pasmant, City Manager and City Council . Richard Elliott, Fire Chief SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE SPECIAL HIRING CONSIDERATIONS FOR DISPLACED FIREFIGHTER/ PARAMEDICS RECOMMENDATIONS: AGENDA ITEM NO. G-4 DATE February 1, 2005 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER It is recommended the City Council approve the Fire Department's request to utilize a state-wide. hiring list for the consideration of hiring displaced Firefighter/Paramedics who have been furloughed from full-time firefighter positions as a result of an agency's reduction in forces or the closure of military bases. DISCUSSION: Currently, the Fire Department has one Assistant Chief vacancy, three vacancies in the Captain's rank, one in the Engineer's rank, one in the Fire Prevention Specialist's rank, and eight in the Firefighter/Paramedic's rank, for a total of 14 open positions. Three of the 14 vacancies are the positions authorized by the City Council to augment staffing for the Ambulance Program for Fiscal Year 2004705. Council directed staff to fill the three positions using overtime for the remainder of year. The City'.s Human Resources Department, aided by Fire Department staff, recently completed recruitments and examinations for the vacant Captain's and Fire Protection Specialist's positions and are currently conducting recruitment. and testing for the Firefighter/Paramedic vacancies. Due to the extensive background and testing procedures for the open recruitment, the City will not be prepared to offer jobs to new recruits until May 2005. Final interviews are currently scheduled for March 25, 2005. After the interview process is completed, background investigations, psychological evaluations and physical examinations will be conducted. For a typical firefighter candidate, the background investigation usually takes two to four weeks to complete followed by the psychological evaluation, which can take up to two additional weeks to schedule and complete. Perspective employees who successfully complete the background and psychological, are scheduled for a physical examination that included tuberculosis screening and respiratory evaluation. Following the successful completion of the physical examination, which can take two additional weeks to schedule, candidates typically provide employers a minimum of two weeks notice with their letters of resignation. California Assembly Bill 1929 amended 53270 of the Government Code and became effective January, 1, 2005. California Assembly Bill 1929 allows local governments to access a statewide hiring list of firefighters displaced by budget cuts or the closure of military base fire departments. Only permanent career firefighters in good standing that have been laid -off as a result of closure, down -sizing or realignment of federal military . installations, or permanent career firefighters terminated by the state or a local government as a result of job elimination are eligible to be placed on the list. At this time there are eight Firefighter/Paramedics on the official Displaced Firefighters Eligibility List received from the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Program. This list contains the names of seven state -licensed and Los Angeles County -accredited Firefighter/Paramedics who were recently laid off from Montebello Fire Department. While four of the individuals have been hired by other fire departments, all of the laid -off firefighters listed possess the knowledge, skills and abilities that are potentially valuable to the West Covina Fire Department. As a result of the 14 vacancies, the Fire Department is at a critical point in being able to cover open positions at the Firefighter/Paramedic rank. Utilizing the state displaced firefighter list would allow the department to immediately interview qualified individuals that were in good standing with previous. employers, access important recent employee history (e.g. background investigations and employee evaluations), and have the benefit of their years of practical experience/formal training. In addition, the shorter hiring cycle would help reduce the number of 72-hour and 96--hour continuous shifts that Firefighter/Paramedics are currently working to cover open positions. FISCAL IMPACT: The primary fiscal advantages of hiring personnel from the displaced firefighter list are that the seven former Montebello firefighters each average 3.4 years of firefighting and medical emergency response experience. All of these individuals have received certification, in addition to holding Paramedic licenses, at the state Firefighter I and II level, Urban Search and Rescue training, and wildland firefighting training. The West Covina Fire Department would realize a modest cost savings by not having to replicate this training. The cost savings in staff time and training expenses is estimated at $5,000 per individual. While it is difficult to quantify the value . of hiring experienced firefighters, numerous efficiencies are realized by taking advantage of previous training and valuable emergency response experience. Conversely, the financial advantage of utilizing overtime firefighters to fill vacant positions is that it is currently less expensive compared to hiring full-time employees. Based on current salary and benefit costs, filling vacant positions with overtime for the Firefighter/Paramedic rank. equates to an average annual savings of $16,408 or 13.34% per position. -In December, 2004, 24 eligible Firefighter/Paramedics worked a total of 2,672 hours of overtime to cover the vacancies created by vacations, sick -leave, injury, and open positions. For December, the average number of overtime hours worked for each individual was 111 hours. 2,600 hours of overtime in one month for one rank is operationally challenging and not, in my opinion, a desirable long-term strategy for personnel management. CONCLUSIONS: The City of West Covina meets the criteria set forth in the legislation that allows us to use the California Firefighter. Joint Apprenticeship Program Displaced Firefighters Eligibility List for the consideration of hiring qualified personnel. This is an opportunity to take advantage of a solution that reduces department expenditures for recruitment and training costs while potentially hiring experienced firefighters to fill vacant positions. P pared by(,/Jerald Johnson Reviewed/Approved by: Richard Ell tt Assistant Chief Fire Chief Attachments: 1. Copy of Government Code Section 53270 - Hiring of permanent career civilian federal, state, and local government firefighters by local agencies. 2. Displaced Firefighter Eligibility List — November 16, 2004. fACHMENT #1 GO VERNMENT CO1E SECTION 53270 53270. (a) The Legislature hereby finds that the hiring of permanent career civilian tederal, state, and local government firefighters by local agencies as specified in this section is in need of uniform statewide regulation and constitutes a matter of statewide concern that shall be governed solely by this section. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon approval by its governing body, a local government, including, but not limited to, a fire protection district, joint powers agency, or the fire department of a city, including a charter city, county, or city and county, or any political subdivision of one of these agencies, when hiring additional firefighters, may appoint as a member or officer any person who meets all of the following criteria: (1) was serving as a permanent career civilian federal firefighter in gocd standing at any United States military installation or was a permanent career firefighter employed by the state or a local government within the state. ,a (2) Has satisfactorily completed all firefighter training required for employment as a perman'et career civilian federal, state, or local government firefighter. (3) Was, as a consequence of the closure, downsizing, or realignment of a federal military installation, teinatad as a permanent career civilian federal firefighter, or as a consequence of job -elimination, terminated as a permanent career state or local government firefighter, within 48 months prior to the appointment. (c) The appointment authority created by this section shall take precedence over any provision of, or any condition or circumstance arising from a provision of, a charter', ordinance,,or resolution that governs employment of firefighters, that would otherwise frustrate the purpose of this section, including, but not limited to, the following: (1) The local government maintains a civil service or merit system governing the appointment of firefighters. (2) The local government has available to it an eligible or regular reemployment list of persons eligible for those appointments. (3) The appointed person is not on any eligible list. (d) A local government may not employ a person pursuant to this section if a special reemployment list is in existence for the firefighter position to be filled. (a) if a local government determines to appoint a person pursuant to this section, it shall give first priority to residents of the jurisdiction, and second priority to residents of the county not residing in the jurisdiction. (f) The seniority, seniority -related privileges, and rank that a permanent career civilian federal, state, or local government firefighter possessed while employed at a federal military installation or by the state or a local government shall not be required to be transferred to a position in a local government fire department obtained pursuant to this section. (g) To effectuate the purposes of this section, the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Program may administer, prepare, and circulate to local governments a list of permanent career civilian federal. 'state, and local government firefighters eiigible for hup:/rmfo.seLeLgov/cgi-bin/displaycode?smdon-gov&gmup'53001-54000&file-53270 5/17/2003 annnintmPnr_ nursuant to thisection. Placement on the lisSall be governed by length of service as -a permanent career, civilian federal, state, or local government firefighter. A permanent career civilian federal, state, or local government firefighter may apply for placement on the list after he or she receives a notice of termination of position or a priority placement notice, and shall remain on the list for a period. of 48 months. http://info.seLca.gov/cgi-bWd*laycode?section—gov&group-53001-54000&file-53270 5/17/2003 Displaced Firefighters Eligibility List as of Nov. 16, 2004 Exper. Dept/Base Rank Name/Address Specialized Training College Degree/Units --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.---------- 8 yrs Moffett Fld FF Lopez, Francisco EMT FF I Modesto JC 12 1110 Alamo Ave. USAR FF II Modesto, CA 95351 Water Rescue D/O _ Phone 1: 209-523-6399 Phone 2: 209-484-4337 E-Mail: mnm72@sbcglobal.net 8 yrs Richmond FF Jurado, Dwayne EMT FF I Chabot 60 • 4239 Knollview Drive Wildland FF II Danville, CA 94506 D/O Phone 1: 925-648-1356 ` Phone 2: 925-698-3517 E-Mail: rfd414@sbcglobal.net 7 yrs Moffett Fld FF Crone, Justin EMT FF I Modesto JC 28 1614 Liberty Court USAR FF II Turlock, CA,95382 D/O Phone 1: 269-632-8265 Phone 2: 209-678-3936 E-Mail: moffireman@sbcglobal.net 7 yrs Moffett Fld FF Turman, Heather EMT FF I Univ. Nevada 20720 Fourth St. #14 USAR FF II San Mateo Saratoga, CA 95070 D/O Phone 1: 408-867-1606 Phone 2: 650-576-5160 E-Mail: tahoewego@aol.com y 6 yrs Montebello FF/PM Habell, Wayne EMT FF I L.A. Valley 74 n 24620 Sagecrest Circle Paramedic FF II Cal State L.A. 130 Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381 USAR z y Phone 1: 661-255-3138 Wildland Phone 2: 323-887-4510 E-Mail: J Displaced Firefighters Eligibility List as of Nov. 161 2004 Exper. . Dept/H'ase Rank Name/Address Specialized Training College Degree/Units ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 yrs Montebello FF/PM Hobbs, Gary EMT FF I Pasadena City 33 617 W. Maple Avenue Paramedic Monrovia, CA 91016 USAR Phone 1: 626-256-4134 Wildland Phone 2: 626-524-9064 Water Rescue E-Mail: garyhobbs@aol.com 6 yrs' Moffett Fld FF Murgallis, Peter EMT FF I Mission 2816 Sykes Court USAR FF II Santa Clara, CA 95051 Water Rescue Instructor Phone 1: 408-261-3492 Phone 2: 408-603-8592 E-Mail: phortyster@aol.com 6 yrs Richmond FF Osorio, Aaron EMT FF I Solano CC 43 13 Joan Drive USAR Santa Rosa JC 19 Vallejo, CA 94503 Wildland Phone 1: 707-557-2801 Water Rescue Phone 2: 707-333-1316 E-Mail: ff_oso@yahoo.com- 6 yrs Moffett Fld FF/PM Rizotto, Joseph EMT FF I Chabot 61 4009 Dunhill Drive Paramedic FF II Salida, CA 95368 Water Rescue D/O Phone 1: 209-545-5025 Instructor . Phone 2: E-Mail: knjsalida@aol.com 5 yrs Moffett Fld FF Zamparelli, Mark EMT FF I Glendale. 12 985 Portside Cir. Wildland FF II Mission 49 Roseville, CA 95678 D/O Phone 1: 916-780-2084 Phone 2: 916-956-2084 E-Mail: zampy@surewest.net Displaced Firefighters Eligibility List as of Nov. 16, 2004 Exper. ------------------------------------------ Dept/Base Rank Name/Address-------------Specialized --------------- Training 4 yrs Moffett Fld FF DeJesus, Dave EMT FF I 43793 Greenhills Way USAR D/O Fremont, CA 94539 Phone 1: 510-490-7252 Phone 2: 510-386-8064 E-Mail: 4 yrs Moffett Fld FF Hermanson, Erik EMT FF I 4521 Old Village Ln. USAR FF II Salida, CA 95368 Wildland D/O_ Phone 1: 209-543-1579 Phone 2: 209-404-4612 E-Mail: ehermanson@sbcglobal.net 4 yrs Montebello FF/PM Tucker, Rex EMT FF I 11938 Culver Dr. Paramedic FF II Culver City, CA 90230 USAR Phone 1: 310-397-6936 Wildland. Phone 2: 310-925-2031 E-Mail: trucker286@aol.com 3 yrs Moffett Fld FF Contreras, Thomas EMT FF I 952 Kiely Blvd. #H FF II Santa Clara, CA 95051 D/O Phone 1: 408-243-9078 Phone 2:' 408-209-9202 E-Mail: tcontreras@dslextreme.com 2 yrs Montebello FF/PM Morton, Scott EMT FF I 612 N. Kings Rd. #2 Paramedic FF II Los Angeles, CA 90048 USAR Phone 1: 323-782-9332 Wildland Phone 2: 310-968-4341 E-Mail: sjm90048@yahoo.com -College- Degree/Units --------------_---------- Mission San Jose.State Sierra Cabrillo E1 Camino Mission El Camino Santa Monica 15 t 18 14 AS 32 30 Displaced Firefighters Eligibility List 4 as of Nov. 16, 2004 Exper. Dept/Base Rank Name/Address Specialized Training CollegeDegree/Units ----------- 2 yrs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Moffett Fld FF Pinedo, Carlos EMT FF I Mission 75 1035 Aster Ave. #1107 USAR Sunnyvale_, CA 94086 Phone 1: 408-685-5861 Phone 2: E-Mail: losboy78@hotmail.com 2 yrs. Montebello FF/PM Daily, Gary EMT FF I El Camino 100 4713 Deelane St. Paramedic FF II Torrance, CA 90503 USAR Phone 1: 310-214-2205 Wildland Phone 2: 310-702-2291 E-Mail: bigtrk90@aol.com 2 yrs Montebello FF/PM Davis, Steven EMT FF I Antelope Valley 22.5 1403,Jenner Street Paramedic FF II Compton CC 9 Lancaster, CA 93534 USAR Phone 1: 661-948-1924 Wildland Phone 2: 661-8.57-3932 E-Mail: ieatfyre@verizon.net 2 yrs Richmond FF Gomez, Germain EMT FF I Contra Costa 40 109 Mesquite Court Wildland FF II Solano 20 Hercules, CA 94547 Water Rescue ' Phone 1: 510-620-6982 , Phone 2: E-Mail: bombero26@sbcglobal.net 2 yrs Montebello FF/PM Yessmann, Daniel. Paramedic FF I E1 Camino AS 2425 W. 231st St. USAR FF II E1 Camino AA Torrance, CA 90501 Wildland Phone 1: 310-259-8635 Phone 2: 323-887-4510 E-Mail: dyessmann@aol.com