07-27 CSC MinutesRICHFIELD FIRE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING #273
JULY 27, 2021 MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mary Stratton President/Commissioner Jeffrey Bruzek Vice President/Commissioner James Frechette Secretary/Commissioner OTHERS PRESENT: Mike Dobesh Fire Chief
Jenell Wood Assistant Chief Shea Chwialkowski Assistant Chief Alex Crofford Fire Lieutenant
Josh Nelson Fire Lieutenant Kevin O’Connell Firefighter Chris Faint Firefighter
Leon Chambers III Firefighter Joe Ewald Firefighter Brice Eichlersmith Chaplain Kelly Wynn Administrative 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 MARCH 9, 2021.
M/Stratton, S/ Bruzek to approve the minutes. Motion carried 3-0.
III. WELCOME TO NEW COMMISSIONER
President Stratton introduced James Frechette, provided a background of their professional relationship and stated she is thrilled to have him join the commission. Secretary Frechette gave a brief personal background. He stated he is excited to be on the commission and give back to the community. IV. VACATE CURRENT FIREFIGHTER LIST M/Stratton, S/ Bruzek to vacate the current firefighter list. Motion carried 3-0
Chief Dobesh stated the current list has an expiration date of October 22, 2021 and 90% of the list has been hired on to departments. The department has come to the conclusion to vacate the list.
Vice President Bruzek asked how many people are on the list.
Chief Dobesh stated 18 names are on the current list and everyone is a full time firefighter. Some people were hired on to their original department and some promoted. He also spoke of
Eagan hiring 19 full time firefighters at the beginning of 2020 which took a lot of people from the list. Assistant Chief Chwialkowski stated two people remain on the list that are interested but would have some delay in start dates due to personal restrictions. President Stratton asked how many names the department would like to see on a list. Chief Dobesh stated 15 to 20 people would be ideal. V. ESTABLISH A PROCESS FOR FIREFIGHTER LIST M/Stratton, S/ Bruzek to approve establishing a process for a firefighter list. Motion carried 3-0. Chief Dobesh described the process to establish a firefighter list and explained some minor
changes to the rubric from the last process in 2019. President Stratton stated she is glad to see more emphasis put on experience in place of
education. Chief Dobesh spoke of how the department is looking for good firefighters and will be to get
them the education they need/desire. Vice President Bruzek asked about points for firefighters that know more than two languages. Chief Dobesh stated if a candidate has the ability to speak three languages at entry level, would equate to nine points. He spoke of how important it is to de-escalate situations quickly. Assistant Chief Chwialkowski spoke of possible changes regarding scoring languages in future
processes. Vice President Bruzek stated he would like to see more cultures represented and served
throughout the community. VI. DISCUSS OFFICERTS TESTING EVERY OTHER YEAR
Chief Dobesh discussed current testing timelines but would like to move Captain and Lieutenant testing to occur in the same year with firefighter testing happening the off year. The department would also like to have Capt/Lt testing occur in September so when assigning shifts for the following year, the list can be utilized. He stated item seven on the agenda will vacate the current Lt. list so there are no delays. Vice President Bruzek asked if there would be any issues for firefighters by having tests at the same time. Chief Dobesh stated no firefighters have brought forward any issues.
Firefighter O’Connell stated it would be better for moral to have them together. President Stratton asked if this would make the process more seamless and take stress away from the department.
Chief Dobesh stated it would but details are still being worked out on what the process will look like along with the resource demands to make it happen all at once.
VII. VACATE CURRENT LIEUTENANT LIST
M/Stratton, S/ Bruzek to vacate the current Lieutenant list. Motion carried 3-0 Vice President Bruzek asked if discussions have been had with current Lieutenants.
Chief Dobesh stated no one has brought forward any concerns. VIII. ESTABLISH PROCESS FOR LIEUTENANT TESTING (ONE YEAR LIST) M/Stratton, S/ Bruzek to vacate the current firefighter list.
Motion carried 3-0 Chief Dobesh explained the outline will be the same as 2019 with the exception of removing the presentation as it was overwhelming and not a great use of resources and those points have been distributed to other sections. He stated the big change will be reducing years of service on RFD to three years and added qualifications elsewhere. The change has been discussed with L1215. President Stratton expressed excitement to see inclusion and expanding qualifications. She asked what the issue was with the presentation. Chief Dobesh stated the fire ground simulation provides the portion that requires quick thinking
and the presentation isn’t necessary. Secretary Frechette asked with minimum years of service being dropped if firefighters are still
able to fulfill qualifications. Chief Dobesh stated there are a number of online classes that can be taken to fill the
qualifications but it may affect answers in the interviews. IX. DISCUSS HIRING FOR DIVERSITY AND HOW THAT MAY LOOK FOR RFD A. LONG TERM-FIRE EXPLORERS?
B. SHORT TERM-CADET/APPRENTICE, OTHER?
Chief Dobesh stated diversity and inclusion is a city wide priority. He spoke of the current firefighter list being fairly diverse but conversations need to be had in how the department best represents the community it serves. He explained the potential fire explorers programs would be long term (5-7 years) as it begins with children age 14. It would be ideal to regionalize it as it would be overwhelming for only RFD to put on the program. The potential short term solution is where departments are hiring cadets, training them, becoming apprentice and eventually a firefighter. This program comes with more risk as it could be investing in someone with the unknown that they will become the firefighter RFD needs. It could also bring other challenges with Civil Service and Union approvals. President Stratton spoke of how thinking outside the box can sometimes bring harm. She asked what the Union had to say about the process so as to avoid legal ramifications. Chief Dobesh stated the department wanted to start conversations but is not prepared to put
anything in place today.
Vice President Bruzek asked what the average turnaround time has been for other
departments who have had cadets become firefighters. Chief Dobesh stated it takes about 14 months of training and education. Vice President Bruzek asked if the cadets are paid while in the program. Chief Dobesh stated they would receive $45,000. Vice President Bruzek asked if this kind of program is new to the industry. Chief Dobesh stated it is new to the fire industry but has been done with police. He spoke of
three fire departments currently doing the cadet program. Secretary Frechette asked if there is a targeted percentage of diversity.
Chief Dobesh said no but the department would like to better represent the community, be aware and challenge the department to be better.
President Stratton asked if this has been discussed with the mayor and council for funding. Chief Dobesh stated he will be working with the Equity Administrator. Secretary Frechette asked if recruiting is done locally. Chief Dobesh spoke of the plan to create a short, three minute, video to assist with recruitment and have it also translated into Spanish. Vice Present Bruzek asked what percentage of firefighters know they want to pursue the
career when they enter college. Assistant Chief Chwialkowski spoke of how Minnesota has very few full time career fire departments so many people go into another career with the option to be a volunteer firefighter. X. OTHER BUSINESS President Stratton asked if there has been a decrease in health/covid related calls for the department.
Chief Dobesh stated covid type calls have down which has been assisted with 82% of the community being vaccinated. However, the overall number of calls has not decreased and shifts
continue to be very busy. President Stratton asked for a description of calls to better educate Secretary Frechette.
Chief Dobesh stated the department receives about 4,600 calls per year and they are primarily health related. About 1,000 calls are a mix of extraction, random calls and assisting surrounding cities. About 12-15 calls are structure fires. He spoke of all the new construction happening and the new extinguishing abilities they have to better protect buildings. Secretary Frechette asked if it is difficult for firefighters to constantly go on medicals. Chief Dobesh stated it is hard and they have been trying to monitor burn out but firefighters also know they need to go on calls if they want to catch ones with fire.
President Stratton expressed her appreciation for the fire department in everything they do for the community.
Vice President Bruzek asked about open pit burning ban. Chief Dobesh stated there is not currently a ban but recreational fires have restrictions of size and ability to extinguish along with the current drought. President Stratton asked how the new system is going with new leadership. Chief Dobesh stated it is going well. The department is bringing in consultants to work on establishing better expectations.
Assistant Chief Chwialkowski spoke of how much he is learning and has great support along the way. XI. ADJOURNMENT M/Bruzek, S/Frechette to adjourn the Civil Service Commission meeting at 8:35 a.m.
Motion carried 3-0
Submitted by: Kelly Wynn Administrative Assistant
Date of Approval: September 21, 2021 _________________________ Mary Stratton, President _________________________ Jeffrey Bruzek, Vice President _________________________ James Frechette, Secretary