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firefighter clarified that there is always is a good reason when someone gets bumped from a <br />call. <br />Mayor Mixon asked about the teams. A firefighter stated that it has destroyed the <br />camaraderie because he does not know the whole department and no one stays at the fire hall <br />to "chew the fat". Mayor Miron confirmed that he heard that there was a need to expand in <br />order to have fewer hours, but that it would compound camaraderie issues. He then asked for <br />any additional discussion on the points system. <br />Weidner asked of the Council at what frequency can [the firefighters] find a replacement and <br />at what rate the can get rid of their shifts. He gave an example: if someone replaces 75% of <br />their shifts, they can still make their points. This doesn't have a legal basis, but it is a policy <br />question. A firefighter said that he doesn't have a problem making his points, but that he <br />doesn't trade shifts because he doesn't think that is good for the Department. Compton said <br />that when the new schedule and point system was established, they knew it would be hard, <br />but that it allows for flexibility. Bronk said that he has conflicts with his job and did not have <br />a cover for a shift because it was a vacation and family day. Discussion continued. A <br />firefighter said that if they need the duty crew because they cannot have 25 people showing <br />up for a single call and 2 people when it is at an inconvenient time. A firefighter added that <br />it is important to have people with the right skill set present, especially with the ambulance <br />service. Haas stated that he was hearing it was very important to have the duty crew, but that <br />the other processes need tweaking. Lifestyles and reality really need to be taken into <br />account. Also, Hass said that the purpose here was to find direction and identify issues, not <br />to find a solution. Bronk suggested that the City establish a task force to find something that <br />works for the majority of people. <br />Petryk brought up the idea of a ready reserves system and tweaking the points for people's <br />lifestyles. Compton stated that they tried to use a back-up crew but that it did not work. <br />Mayor Miron linked this to the camaraderie issue in that people on ready reserves would <br />have the opportunity to work with all the firefighters and discussed expansion. Compton said <br />that there are 18 applicants and that the firefighters did not want to mix up the teams. <br />Weidt stated that the Department has evolved, but that only six people are speaking. He <br />questioned if that meant that the system works for the rest of the people. Weidt <br />acknowledged that lifestyles change and that job requirements change and suggested an <br />option for a reduced part-time position with reduced benefits. The firefighters continued <br />discussion on what segment of time is best for them on the weekends. A firefighter stated <br />that the vote had been spit on having 24 or 48 hour shifts on the weekends. Haas recognized <br />the interest in the duty crew schedule and suggested that a committee be formed and that <br />each member write ideas to be gone through by the committee so that they can make a <br />recommendation. <br />Mayor Miron said that his concern was that lifestyle choices are impacting the points system <br />but that as the people change then the system would always be changing. Compton clarified <br />that it is not the "good ole boys club" but that it is a job and the requirements have changed. <br />A firefighter claimed that he has opted out of some training and that he does not feel that the <br />