HomeMy WebLinkAbout#27 Fire Dept Shared Services and StaffingMAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
DATE: May 17, 2016
REGULAR
ITEM #: 27
MOTION
AGENDA ITEM: Shared Services and Fire Dept Staffing
SUBMITTED BY: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
BACKGROUND: In response to the recent reports about delayed fire response and limited staffing available for calls at
certain times, Council members Fliflet and Lundgren are requesting staff look into some shared services
with other departments and/or staffing changes within Lake Elmo Fire (such as the expansion of duty crews).
As we have done with other issues, staff is bringing this to the Council for direction before embarking on this task.
ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: Should staff research and prepare info for presentation to the Council and/or Public Safety Committee
regarding shared, automatic or direct service agreements and department staffing options?
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: Staff is being asked to look into options to address staffing shortages in the Fire Department. This could
include reviewing the shared services study from 2011, exploring direct aid agreements with other communities, or automatic aid once the County Tiburon system is finally implemented. In addition, the
City could explore different staffing structures such as expanded duty crews, hiring part time firefighters
to be at the station as other communities do, or reviewing recruitment efforts. This is not an exhaustive list and staff is not prepared to talk about the details at this time but given Council direction we will
research more fully the options.
The results of staff research could be shared with the Council and/or the Public Safety Committee at a
future work session or joint meeting. OPTIONS:
1) Direct staff to research shared services or other agreements and staffing options for the Fire Department and report back to the Council
2) Direct staff to research shared services or other agreements and staffing options for the Fire
Department and report back to a joint meeting of the Public Safety Committee and Council 3) Do not direct staff to research these issues
RECOMMENDATION: Per Council members Fliflet and Lundgren, Motion to direct staff to research shared services or other
agreements and staffing options for the Fire Department