4.1. SR 08-09-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

training for each member). The greatest concern expressed presently among the officers is the lack of flexibility in scheduling (the shift runs the entire weekend) and the pay (fair compensation for 24/7 availability). Unlike other "on-call" positions in the City, the fire department duty officer must be able to respond at a moment's notice directly to the scene. They are the first unit to leave and often the last to return home. Due to the unpredictability of calls and the need for a rapid response, the duty officer must be available within the department's primary ser~~ice area and have access to the duty officer's vehicle (currently using the once retired Ford Explorer). Future As previously mentioned, the duty officer program has been a positive benefit to the department. Eliminating the program will certainly have a negative impact on response times and the overall service delivery model of the department. It is a program that I hope can continue but realize there are certain challenges that face the program, specifically financially. I have had the opportunity to review both the formal duty officer program and what, £or lack of a better definition, the informal "week night" duty officer program. Accompanying the fire department's 2011 budget proposal is a request for what we envision to be a comprehensive duty officer program -establishing coverage for all after hour's shifts which will greatly lesson the burden on the senior staff of the department. Most importantly, it will continue a program that has proven to be a benefit to the department and the community. Weekday Weekday duty officer coverage will run Monday through Thursday from 6PM until 6AM. Ideally, officers will sign up for an entire block (i.e. the week) at a time to lesson the changeover of staff and vehicles but the schedule will be flexible to accommodate individual needs (i.e. one 12-hour shift). On rare occasions, coverage may be extended to include daytime response if full-time staff are otherwise committed or on holiday. Weekend Weekend duty officer coverage will run Friday evening (6PN1) through Monday morning (6AM). Shifts over a weekend will be able to be divided up to better accorrunodate the needs of staff. Presently, officers are paid 16 hours for a full weekend shift (Friday evening through Monday morning). Pay is variable depending upon the individual's position and training steps obtained. The present setup makes splitting shifts extremely difficult and hard to forecast from a budgetary standpoint. Moving forward, duty officer pay will be adjusted to a flat rate for as an on-call stipend. This will establish a consistent pay model. for all officers regardless of title/position and will allow greater flexibility in scheduling (and ultimately lesson the payroll burden).