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Public Safety Committee Meeting Commission Chamber- 7/28/2014- 1:05 PM
PUBLIC SAFETY
1. The Augusta Fire Department is proposing a salary adjustment
and retention program that will address the following issues:
Increase retention rates among newly hired employees; Improve
the retention of experienced and qualified leadership personnel;
Equalize salaries within ranks, reducing pay disparities and
unfair practices that have existed in the past; Align pay with
rank, eliminating subordinates earning more than their direct
supervisors; Attract qualified personnel.
Attachments
2. Motion to approve the minutes of the Public Safety Committee
held on July 7, 2014.
Attachments
3. This is a proposal to recommend that the Fire Department not be
included in the Fleet Maintenance Contract with First Vehicle
Services and be permitted to run an in-house vehicle
maintenance program.
Attachments
Public Safety Committee Meeting
7/28/2014 1:05 PM
Augusta Fire Department Salary Adjustments & Retention Proposal
Department:Fire
Caption:The Augusta Fire Department is proposing a salary adjustment
and retention program that will address the following issues:
Increase retention rates among newly hired employees; Improve
the retention of experienced and qualified leadership personnel;
Equalize salaries within ranks, reducing pay disparities and unfair
practices that have existed in the past; Align pay with rank,
eliminating subordinates earning more than their direct
supervisors; Attract qualified personnel.
Background:In the past 5-1/2 years the Augusta Fire Department has lost 140
staff members. Firefighters are trained to both State and National
Standards and use these qualification to seek employment with
higher paying departments. There are disparities in our current
pay structure such that lower ranking personnel with less
responsibility are compensated at a higher rate of pay than higher
ranking personnel with more responsibilities.
Analysis:The Augusta Fire Department staffing levels are reaching a critical
low. A the present time we have 29 open 24-hr fire supppression
positions. Within the fist six months of 2014 it has been necessary
to put fire suppression companies out of service approximately 25
times due to the lack in daily staffing. Putting these companies out
of service does not allow firefighters to perform their jobs
efficiently, increases response times, and increases the potiential
for firefighter injury.
Financial Impact:To implement the proposed ajustments it will cost approximately
$194,160 for the remainder of 2014 and a $504,817 increase in the
2015 budget.
Alternatives:None
Recommendation:To approve the proposed salary adjustments and new salary ranges
for Fire Department personnel.Cover Memo
Item # 1
Funds are Available
in the Following
Accounts:
Funds in the amount of $365,000 were budgeted for the reserve
firefighter program and can be used to cover salary adjustments
through December 31, 2014. Adjustments for 2015 can be funded
through reallocation of other line items such as the vehicle cost
allocations.
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Finance.
Law.
Administrator.
Clerk of Commission
Cover Memo
Item # 1
Salary Equalization Proposal
Christopher E. James, Fire Chief
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To provide the citizens within our community
professional and efficient emergency services by
protecting the lives, property, and environment
that we are sworn to serve.
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•To increase retention rates among newly hired employees
•Improve the retention of experienced and qualified
leadership personnel
•Equalize salaries within ranks, reducing pay disparities and
unfair practices that have existed for years
•Align pay with rank, eliminating subordinates earning more
than their direct supervisors
•Attract qualified personnel
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•2009; 10 personnel
•2010; 20 personnel
•2011; 33 personnel
•2012; 30 personnel
•2013; 25 personnel
•2014; 22 personnel from January to present
–Total of 140 staff members have left the Augusta Fire
Department over the last 5 1/2 years. Of the 140
departures, only 39 were due to retirement.
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0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
45000
Salaries
Augusta
Atlanta
Savannah
Dekalb
Cobb Co.
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•Annual Overtime Fund Budget: $600,000
0
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
Overtime Expenditures
2011
2012
2013
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•NFPA 1710 established a
standard of 4 personnel on each
apparatus
•“2 in/ 2 out” rule to ensure
firefighter safety
•Unable to consistently meet
these requirements due to
staffing shortages
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It costs over $23,000 to train
each new recruit as a certified
Firefighter and Emergency
Medical Technician.
Class of 25= $575,000
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•Hiring costs; physicals, background checks,
exams
•Training staff salaries and benefits
•Support staff and office supplies
•Certification exams and fees
•Protective gear and uniform issue
•Recruit salaries and benefits for 24 weeks
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•$194,160 August 1, 2014- December 31, 2014
•$365,000 budgeted for reserve Firefighter
Program/2014
•$504,817 expenditure for 2015
•Possible within current budget guidelines
•Reallocation of other line items
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Firefighters (92)
Lietuenants (38)
Captains (10)
Sergeants (29)
Division Heads/ Shift
Commanders (3)
Deputy Chief (1)There are no provisions in this proposal
requesting salary adjustments for the Fire
Chief or Battalion Chiefs.
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Public Safety Committee Meeting
7/28/2014 1:05 PM
Minutes
Department:Clerk of Commission
Caption:Motion to approve the minutes of the Public Safety Committee
held on July 7, 2014.
Background:
Analysis:
Financial Impact:
Alternatives:
Recommendation:
Funds are Available
in the Following
Accounts:
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Cover Memo
Item # 2
Attachment number 1 \nPage 1 of 3
Item # 2
Attachment number 1 \nPage 2 of 3
Item # 2
Attachment number 1 \nPage 3 of 3
Item # 2
Public Safety Committee Meeting
7/28/2014 1:05 PM
Report to Commission on Fire Department In-house Emergency Vehicle Maintenance Proposal
Department:Fire
Caption:This is a proposal to recommend that the Fire Department not be
included in the Fleet Maintenance Contract with First Vehicle
Services and be permitted to run an in-house vehicle maintenance
program.
Background:During 2014 budget preparation the Fleet Mainenance Department
informed the Fire Department that their vehicle cost allocation
would be $1,250,750, an increase of $219,430 from 2013. In
early 2014 Fleet Maintenance Department requested a renewal of
the contract with First Vehicle Services. At that time discussion
took place with Commissioners to allow the Fire Department to be
excluded from the contract.
Analysis:The Fire Department will be able to run an in-house fleet
mainenance program at a lower cost, be more centrally located to
all existing fire stations, and run more efficiently reducing the
amount of time units are out of service.
Financial Impact:The 2014 Vehicle Cost Allocation is $1,250,750 It is estimated to
cost approximately $771,683 creating a savings of $479,067 due
primarily to the reduction of contract managment fees paid to First
Vehicle Services.
Alternatives:None
Recommendation:Allow the Augusta Fire Department to be excluded from the First
Vehicle Services contract and to implement an in-house vehicle
maintenance program.
Funds are Available
in the Following
Accounts:
Use funds that are currently committed to the Vehicle Cost
Allocation.
Cover Memo
Item # 3
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Finance.
Law.
Administrator.
Clerk of Commission
Cover Memo
Item # 3
Maintenance Facility Proposal
Christopher E. James, Fire Chief
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To provide the citizens within our community
professional and efficient emergency
services by protecting the lives, property, and
environment that we are sworn to serve.
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Present cost savings from adopting in-
house maintenance program
Discuss increased efficiency by
transitioning to an in-house program
Maintenance contract Increased $219,430
from 2013 to 2014
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Vehicle allocation for 2014 is $1,250,750
•Parts
•Labor
Contract
Non contract, to include costs for vehicles >8 yrs. old
Fire Apparatus > 15 yrs. old
•Sublet costs
•Overhead
Administrative fees/ Fleet Manager/Staff salaries
•Contract fees
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Costs (In-House) $771,683
•Parts $273,418 (2013 fleet maintenance data)
•Labor, In-house staff salaries and benefits $372,650
Shop Supervisor
1 lead tech, 3 mechanics
1 light vehicle/ small engine tech
1 admin/ parts clerk
•Sublet costs $51,184 (2013 fleet maintenance data)
•Overhead $74, 431
•Contract Fees $0
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Use current facility during construction of
new centralized facility
Site for new facility chosen due to:
•Emergency Vehicle Priority
•Available space
•Central location
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4 apparatus repair bays
1 light vehicle bay
Small engine repair area
Parts Room
Shop supervisor office
Administration clerk office
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Reduced maintenance and parts costs
due to fleet upgrades
Increased emphasis on preventive
maintenance
Better reserve units, reducing out of
service time
Fire Station service calls for minor
repairs
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$479,067 savings
Increased efficiency
Reduced average travel, keeping units
closer to their coverage area
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