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RESOLUTION NO. 2015-012 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AMENDING THE AUTHORIZED POSITION COUNT IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO REFLECT THE ADDITION OF 2.0 FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC POSITIONS AND THE ELIMINATION OF 2.0 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 amend the authorized position count in the Fire Department to reflect the addition of 2.0 Firefighter/Paramedic positions and the elimination of 2.0 Firefighter positions which would allow for the Fire Department to hire qualified personnel with the required knowledge, skills, abilities and certifications to perform advanced life support duties.
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
Not Applicable
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.
In March 2014, the City Council approved the creation of a new classification of Firefighter/Paramedic so that the Fire Department, in conjunction with the Human Resources Department, could recruit for and hire qualified personnel with the required knowledge, skills, abilities and certifications to perform advanced life support duties.
Firefighter/Paramedics serve a dual role. In addition to performing duties and responsibilities of a Firefighter, the incumbents in the Firefighter/Paramedic classification 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 Fire Department is requesting to amend the authorized position count in the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 budget to reflect the addition of 2.0 Firefighter/Paramedic positions and the elimination of 2.0 vacant Firefighter positions. This would allow the Department to recruit for and hire qualified personnel with the required knowledge, skills, abilities and certifications to perform advanced life support duties.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has determined that the action contemplated by this item is ministerial, secretarial, manual, or clerical in nature and, as such, does not require the City Council members to make or participate in making a governmental decision, pursuant to California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.4(a). Consequently, this item does not present a conflict under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code ยง 87100, et seq.). Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The addition of 2.0 Firefighter/Paramedic positions and elimination of 2.0 vacant Firefighter positions supports the City-wide strategic goals of Operational Excellence and Strong and Secure Neighborhoods as it allows for the City to 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 addition of 2.0 Firefighter/Paramedic positions and the elimination of 2.0 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. The 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
None
Staff Contact: Erin Dempster