02-01 CSC MinutesRICHFIELD FIRE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING #271
FEBRUARY 01, 2021 MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mary Stratton President/Commissioner Jeffrey Bruzek Vice President/Commissioner OTHERS PRESENT: Mike Dobesh Fire Chief
Jenell Wood Battalion Chief Mark Armstrong Fire Captain Dale Perrault Fire Captain
Alex Crofford Fire Lieutenant Josh Nelson Fire Lieutenant Mark Watczak Firefighter
Leon Chambers III Firefighter Kevin O’Connell Firefighter Mike Ziskovsky Firefighter Shea Chwialkowski Firefighter Joe Ewald Firefighter Krista Guzman Human Resources Manager Pam Dmytrenko Assistant City Manager Kelly Wynn Senior Office Assistant I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Commission President Stratton at 8:00 a.m.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING OF DECEMBER 15, 2020.
M/Stratton, S/ Bruzek to approve the minutes. Motion carried 2-0. President Stratton inquired about obtaining a third person on the commission. Senior Office Assistant Wynn stated the commission did not receive any viable candidates for the position and will touch base with City Attorney Tietjen about the open position.
III. CERTIFY THE CAPTAIN’S PROMOTION ELIGIBILITY ROSTER
M/Stratton, S/ Bruzek to certify the Captain’s Promotion Eligibility Roster. Motion carried 2-0.
Chief Dobesh provided a background on the process, how scores were tabulated and list validated. He then presented and reviewed the list of candidates: The examination of candidates to establish the Fire Chief Eligible Register has been completed. One candidate applied, who did meet the applicable criteria and thus the candidate participated in
the examination process. The process took place December 14, 2020 and consisted of a review of the candidate’s application, background and experience and a panel interview. The results were
tabulated and then reviewed by the Human Resources department for accuracy. This list consists of the candidate in rank order. This eligible roster will be effective until date of hire, unless extended or canceled by the Civil Service Commission.
Last Name First Name Rank
CHWIALKOWSKI SHEA 1 KACZMARCZYK SHERRI 2 CROFFORD ALEX 3 NELSON JOSH 4
WATCZAK MARK 5 EWALD JOSEPH 6 HALASKA JOSEPH 7 BROWN NATHAN 8 IV. APPROVE THE ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF PROCESS
Chief Dobesh supplied what the process will entail and reviewed the outline. President Stratton asked if it the position would be posted internally or externally. Chief Dobesh stated the position would be posted internally and if it did not produce qualified
candidates, then they would explore posting externally. President Stratton inquired about a timeline.
Chief Dobesh stated it is currently open for discussion as there are some current staff constraints in the Human Resources department but would is hopeful to hold interviews beginning
of March. M/Stratton, S/ Bruzek to approve the Assistant Fire Chief Process. Motion carried 2-0
V. ANNUAL UPDATE
Chief Dobesh spoke of the three new hires in the last year (Ryan Wolf, Leon Chambers III and Jake Rehberger) and how they have been a great addition to the department. He then touched on developing a process and hiring a Battalion Chief (Jenell Wood), process and promotion of Fire
Chief (Mike Dobesh) and the extensive work of the commission. He then reviewed some statistics of their calls (4,450) including one tenth of their calls were Covid related. Chief Dobesh also explained that in 2021 they will be hiring a new Assistant Fire Chief, reviewing the firefighter eligibility roster and going through the process of the Lieutenant Promotion eligibility roster. Vice President Bruzek asked about the number of calls and how it compares to the last three
years. Chief Dobesh explained calls have increased approximately 18% over the last three years. President Stratton asked if many calls happen in cluster areas, specifically in the 65+ communities.
Chief Dobesh stated they do see higher call volume in population dense areas and senior high
rise buildings.
President Stratton gave credit to Richfield for their professionalism during these times.
VI.DISCCUSSION ON EDUCATION IN THE RFD
Chief Dobesh spoke of the ongoing process to professionalize the Richfield Fire Departmentand fire service at large. The department encourages firefighters to take advantage of the city’s program (REEP) to reimburse for classes to get the 60 credits needed for a degree.
President Stratton inquired about the ability for firefighters to complete classes with their work schedule.
Chief Dobesh explained firefighters take their own leave if necessary to attend classes.
Captain Armstrong stated he used REEP to obtain his Associate’s Degree as there is flexibility in course schedules and many are now offered online.
Vice President Bruzek asked if 18 credits were required for hire.
Chief Dobesh confirmed 18 completed credits are the minimum requirement for hire.
President Stratton encouraged firefighters to continue their education.
VII.ADJOURNMENT
M/Stratton, S/Bruzek to adjourn the Civil Service Commission meeting at 8:22 a.m.
Motion carried 2-0
Submitted by: Kelly Wynn Senior Office Assistant
Date of Approval: March 09, 2021 _________________________ Mary Stratton, President
_________________________ Jeffrey Bruzek, Vice President