HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3.A 7/21/2014Agenda 1.
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DATE: July 21, 2014
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through the City Manager
FROM: Larry Anderson, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Resolution Amending the Classification and Compensation Plan by Revising the
Classification Specifications of Firefighter/Paramedic in the Fire Department
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution Amending the
Classification and Compensation Plan by Revising the Classification Specifications of
Firefighter/Paramedic in the Fire Department.
Fire departments are constantly competing for qualified Firefighter/Paramedic candidates.
Newly graduated paramedic academy students typically begin receiving employment offers from
fire departments shortly after their paramedic accreditation. Petaluma Fire has traditionally
required one year of paramedic experience from its applicants. Highly qualified firefighters with
recent paramedic accreditation have been overlooked, and seek employment elsewhere.
Petaluma Fire seeks to change this practice by extending the time requirement the probationary
employee has to complete county accreditation from three (3) to six (6) months. The Department
has the appropriate testing processes and programs in place whereby it can now select and
mentor these newly accredited paramedics and not lose exceptional candidates to other agencies.
The length of their probationary period, eighteen (18) months, would not change.
A work group was held on April 28, 2014 to discuss how to improve the recruitment process for
Firefighter/Paramedic. The discussion involved nearly twenty representatives from Units 7 and
10, the Fire Chief and an HR representative. The group recommended modifying the experience
requirement for entry-level Firefighter/Paramedics.
Petaluma's minimum qualification for experience on the existing job description is one year of
experience as a Paramedic. The recommended revision will make Paramedic experience a highly
desirable qualification but will allow for the consideration of candidates with less than one year
of experience. Candidates can be successful with less than one year of experience_ and the
recommended revisions to the job description will rellect that.
Agenda Review:
City Attorney Finance Director City Mana
The only other substantive change is to increase the time allowed to receive a Sonoma County
Paramedic accreditation. It is currently listed as three months from the date of hire and the
recommended revision is to increase that time to six months from the date of hire.
No changes were made to the job duties.
These changes were presented to and accepted by Unit 7. Local 1415 International Association
of Firefighters.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
This is no financial impact with this adoption. The department has vacancies that are budgeted.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. Exhibit A (Firefighter/Paramedic)
Resolution No. 2014 -XXX N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION
PLAN BY REVISING THE CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATIONS FOR
FIRE FIGHTER/PARAMEDIC IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the City wishes to keep current its Classification and Compensation
Plan; and amendments and or revisions to the Classification and Compensation Plan are
effective upon approval by the City Council; and,
WHEREAS, the City Manager/Personnel Officer has determined that certain
duties and responsibilities are appropriately allocated to the classification of
Firefighter/Paramedic (as attached hereto and marked Exhibit A); and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Petaluma:
1. Approves the amendment to the Classification and Compensation Plan as
written in this Resolution including the amendment in the Competitive
Service of the Personnel System.
2. Takes this action pursuant to Personnel Code 3.04.020 and Personnel
Rules and Regulations (Rule IV -Classification and Rule V -Compensation)
and that the notice of this action has been properly posted.
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Firefighter/Paramedic
CITY OF PETALUMA
CLASS SPECIFICATION
Date: 07/21/14
Job Class: 07FIPA
Summary
Respond to fires, medical emergencies, and other emergency and non -emergency situations and
take appropriate action to protect life and property; perform various staff support assignments in
addition to normal emergency response activities.
Class Characteristics
General supervision is provided by the Fire Captain; responsibilities may include the indirect
supervision of support staff.
Essential Duties, Skills, and Demands of the Position
The duties, skills, and demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential
duties, skills, and demands.
Duties:
Respond to calls for medical aid, including traffic collisions and rescue situations. Provide pre-
hospital care, including examining patients and monitoring vital signs; establish I.V. lines,
administer medications, insert airway, defibrillate heart and take other basic and advanced first
aid and life support actions; communicate with hospital and or health care professionals in
person or by radio; complete required reports. Restock supplies and maintain ambulances and
other emergency vehicles and equipment in proper working condition.
In a fire emergency, connect supply lines, control and extinguish fires, using various size hand -
lines, deck ladders and portable water monitors; connect foam eductors and apply foam and
chemicals for fire suppression and control.
Search buildings and rescue victims from buildings and motor vehicles sometimes using
specialized power and hand tools; use various hand and power tools to obtain entry to buildings,
free trapped accident victims, and provide ventilation.
Participate in specialized rescue operations, including aerial, water, underground and confined
space situations, including the use of rigging and shoring.
Contain, control, and decontaminate hazardous material spills.
Participate in clean-up, salvage, overhaul operations; clean, service, and ensure operational
readiness of fire vehicles, apparatus, hoses and equipment; assist with the maintenance of
stations and facilities.
Participate in various staff support assignments including but not limited to: fire prevention,
inspection, and maintenance of inventory records, scheduled inspection of department
equipment. fire inspection. and investigation.
Work with the community in a variety of educational, public relations, and service programs:
may provide CPR training classes as assi. red.
May serve in higher level classification, on a relief basis if certified and/or licensed to do so; may
direct the wort: of others, particularly in a medical emereency.
as
Skills/Abilities:
Understand and follow oral and written directions.
Maintain accurate records and prepare clear and concise reports and other written materials using
a computer.
Remain calm, make sound decisions, and respond appropriately in emergency situations.
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the
work.
Physical Demands and Work Envirotunent:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to
palpate, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is
required to walk; occasionally required to stand, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl;
and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift weight in excess of over 150 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision,
peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of
this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is
occasionally exposed to high, precarious places, fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic
chemicals; explosives; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
A Firefighter Paramedic is required to wear appropriate fire fighting and chemical safety apparel
and equipment, including turnout gear, helmet, hood, and self-contained breathing apparatus.
Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Basic principles and practices of fire suppression and prevention.
Basic principles and practices of emergency medical care at the basic and advanced life support
levels.
Safety practices and precautions pertaining to the work; basic computer report production
techniques.
Education and Experience
Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required
knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities
would be:
Education:
Equivalent to graduation from high school.
Completion of an accredited firefighter academy or possession of a Firefighter I certificate is
required.
Experience:
Ambulance experience as a Paramedic or HAT and previous firctighting experience in a
volunteer or paid capacity is highly desirable.
Certificates/Licenses:
Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license. Must obtain a valid California Class C
or higher driver's license with a Firefighter Endorsement within 36 months ol'hire.
Current certification as a Paramedic in advanced lite support, either through the National
Registry Paramedic or State of California. Must maintain local certification requirements.
Accreditation in the County of Sonoma as an EMT -Paramedic within six months of date of hire.
Must pass and maintain physical requirements as specified by the City and be able to wear self-
contained breathing apparatus.
Must be willing to work shifts as structured in the fire department.
Revised:
07/21/14 - Resolution # 2014 -XXX N.C.S.
Revised:
03/05/12 Resolution # 2012-022 N.C.S.
Revised:
09/14/09 Resolution # 2009-140 N.C.S.
Established:
03/90 Resolution # 1990-147 N.C.S.
Reformatted:
06/30/06
Department:
Fire
FLSA Status:
Non-exempt