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RESOLUTION NO. 2014-041 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA (A) AMENDING THE COMPENSATION SCHEDULE AND CLASSIFICATION PLAN TO REFLECT THE ADDITION OF THE CLASSIFICATION OF FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC AND (B) AMENDING THE AUTHORIZED POSITION COUNT IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO REFLECT THE ADDITION OF 4.0 FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC POSITIONS AND THE ELIMINATION OF 4.0 FIREFIGHTER POSITIONS
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
The Fire Department is in the process of implementing an Advanced Life Support (ALS) program that deploys City paramedics as first responders. This resolution would approve the creation of the Firefighter/Paramedic classification and amend the authorized position count in the Fire Department to reflect the addition of 4.0 Firefighter/Paramedic positions and the elimination of 4.0 Firefighter positions which allows for the Fire and Human Resources Departments to proceed with the recruitment.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378(b)(2) of the State CEQA Guidelines because it is a personnel related action; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Civil Service Commission adopted the amendment to the classification plan, subject to the final approval of the City Council, at their February 6, 2014 meeting.
DISCUSSION
For the past two years, the Fire Department has been working to implement an Advanced Life Support (ALS) program that deploys City paramedics as first responders. In Fiscal Year 2012/2013, the City Council authorized funding for the First Responder Advanced Life Support (FRALS) program and approved a resolution to approve a memorandum of understanding between the City and IAFF Local 2180 regarding the ALS program. The Fire Chief subsequently brought forward to the City Council an agenda statement that noted that in order to allow for training and/or hiring more paramedics, full implementation of the FRALS program would be phased in over five years. At their August 1, 2013 Public Safety Workshop, the City Council directed the Fire Chief to explore options necessary to expedite implementation of the FRALS program. In November 2013, the Fire Chief requested budget appropriations to fund costs associated with providing paramedic training on an accelerated schedule.
The ALS program requires creation of a new classification of Firefighter/Paramedic so that the Fire Department, in conjunction with the Human Resources Department, can recruit qualified personnel with the required knowledge, skills, abilities and certifications to perform advanced life support duties.
Incumbents in the new classification will serve in a dual role. In addition to performing duties and responsibilities of a Firefighter, the incumbents in the Firefighter/Paramedic classification will render emergency medical aid as a Paramedic examining and assessing victims, communicate vital medical data to medical and/or fire personnel and administer medical treatment within established guidelines and/or at the specific instruction of base hospital medical personnel; perform primary and secondary medical physical assessments of patients; perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation; administer advanced life support drug therapy within established guidelines and/or at the specific instruction of base hospital medical personnel; operate heart monitoring and defibrillation equipment; communicate medical information to base hospital medical personnel or other fire personnel; serve as a preceptor for paramedic and emergency medical technician trainees; and perform other duties as assigned.
The bargaining group and proposed E-Step bi-weekly salary for the new classification is shown below:
Proposed Title |
Bargaining Group |
Proposed E-Step Salary |
Firefighter/Paramedic |
IAFF |
$3,023.88 bi-weekly |
The proposed E-Step salary is 15% above the E-step salary for the existing Firefighter classification. This 15% differential is equivalent to the Firefighter Paramedics-Specialty Pay received by Firefighters when assigned to perform the duties of a paramedic. As such, the 15% differential fully incorporates and is that Firefighter-Paramedics Specialty Pay outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Chula Vista and IAFF Local 2180 approved by the City Council at their meeting of September 11, 2012.
In addition to establishing the new classification of Firefighter/Paramedic, the Fire Department is requesting to amend the authorized position count to reflect the addition of 4.0 Firefighter/Paramedic positions and the elimination of 4.0 Firefighter positions. As stated previously, this would allow the Department to recruit and hire qualified personnel with the required knowledge, skills, abilities and certifications to perform advanced life support duties.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section 18704.2(a)(1), is not applicable to this decision. Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any Councilmember, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City's Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. The creation of the Firefighter/Paramedic classification supports the City-wide strategic goals of Operational Excellence and Strong and Secure Neighborhoods as it allows for the City to recruit for and hire qualified personnel with the required knowledge, skills, abilities and certifications to perform advanced life support duties to augment current Fire Department staff.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the resolution will result in the amendment of the compensation schedule and classification plan to add the classification of Firefighter/Paramedic, the addition of 4.0 Firefighter/Paramedic positions and the elimination of 4.0 Firefighter positions. There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact as a result of this action. As stated previously, the proposed salary for the classification of Firefighter/Paramedic is equal to the current amount paid to Firefighter plus Paramedic specialty pay. The specialty pay is reimbursed through the contract with AMR, resulting in no net fiscal impact to the General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
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