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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 12j - Revised Class Specification for the Fire Department STAFF REPORT Fire Department DATE: September 21, 2021 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Barry R. Spriggs Fire Chief By: Maria Lourdes A. Taylor, Sr. Management Analyst SUBJECT: REVISE THE CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING FIRE DEPARTMENT POSITIONS: FIRE CHIEF, DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF, FIRE BATTALION CHIEF, FIRE CAPTAIN, FIRE ENGINEER, FIRE PARAMEDIC, FIREFIGHTER, FIRE MARSHAL, AND FIRE INSPECTOR Recommendation: Approve SUMMARY On May 13, 2021, the Human Resources Commission approved the revision of the Arcadia Fire Department’s (“AFD”) classification specifications for nine of its current job positions, which included the following: Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Battalion Chief, Fire Captain, Fire Engineer, Fire Paramedic, Firefighter, Fire Marshal, and Fire Inspector. The revisions were based on a review of current personnel, workload balance, skills and knowledge for the corresponding positions that have evolved overtime, and overall service delivery. It is recommended that the City Council approve the revised classification specifications for the aforementioned positions to enhance departmental functions and promote staff growth and development. DISCUSSION As part of a Citywide review of job classifications and specifications, the Fire Department has reviewed its existing documents to ensure they meet current needs and is proposing several minor modifications to nine different positions. The intent of the proposed revisions to the classification specifications for each position is not to lower minimum requirements. The existing minimum qualifications will still serve as the standards by which staff would measure readiness for the position. Rather, the proposed changes would further clarify the primary responsibilities and Revise Job Classifications for the Fire Department September 21, 2021 Page 2 of 5 duties for each of the positions as described in the skills, knowledge, and experience requirements in the job specifications. Delineated below are the key changes to each of the nine (9) job classifications: A. Fire Chief Under its “Minimum Qualifications,” added the following licenses or certificates: • National Incident Management System (NIMS) IS 700 and 800. • Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 300 and 400. • Possession of a Hazardous Materials Awareness of Operations certificate. • Completion of course work to be eligible to apply for State Fire Marshal Fire Officer Certification. Must obtain State Fire Marshal Certification within 12 months of appointment. • Possession of CPR Certification issued by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association. • Possession of EMT I Certification or equivalent. B. Deputy Fire Chief Under its “Minimum Qualifications,” added the following: • Experience: Supervisory experience as a Battalion Chief. • License or Certificate: Same as the added license or certificate requirements for the Fire Chief position. C. Fire Battalion Chief Under its “Job Related and Essential Qualifications,” added knowledge of regional dispatch procedures and Emergency Operations Center operations. Under its “Minimum Qualifications,” added the license or certificate for Incident Command System (ICS) 300 and 400 series. D. Fire Captain Under its “Minimum Qualifications,” added the following language: • Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to achieve this is: o A total of 30 college units, with a minimum of 18 units in Fire Science at a college or university which has been accredited by a recognized government or professional accrediting body as determined by the City and 10 years of progressive firefighting experience with the Arcadia Fire Department can be substituted for an Associate’s degree requirement. E. Fire Engineer Under its “Minimum Qualifications,” Revise Job Classifications for the Fire Department September 21, 2021 Page 3 of 5 • Added the following wording: Three years of paid “firefighting” experience with a Fire Department or two years of “firefighting” experience with the Arcadia Fire Department and appropriate training …” • Deleted the following language: Current employees with the Arcadia Fire Department may apply and test for the position after 1 year and 6 months of experience with the Arcadia Fire Department. Under its “Special Requirements,” added exposure to “communicable diseases, biohazard materials” to essential duties. F. Fire Paramedic Under its “Job Related and Essential Qualifications,” revised the “skill to” operate modern office equipment and technology versus simply basic operations. Under its “Minimum Qualifications,” added the license or certificate requirement to obtain Truck Tiller certification within 12 months of employment and ICS 200 certification. Under its “Special Requirements,” added exposure to “communicable diseases, biohazard material” to the list of essential duties. G. Firefighter Under its “Minimum Qualifications,” added the need to obtain the following licenses or certificates: • Incident Command System (ICS) 200 • Truck Tiller certification within 12 months of employment Under its “Special Requirements,” added exposure to “communicable diseases, biohazard material” to the list of essential duties. H. Fire Marshal Clarify certain administrative language and/or reduce its redundancy including the following: • Addition and promotion of the “Community Risk Reduction Division” and its intent as one of its operating departmental sections versus the Fire Prevention Bureau Division. • Under “Examples of Important and Essential Duties,” deleted the last paragraph pertaining to the operation of a variety of equipment and tools used in fire investigation and inspection. • Under “Job Related and Essential Qualifications,” in the Knowledge Of section, deleted the three paragraphs pertaining to managing arson investigations; handling of hazardous materials and/or other toxins; and drafting techniques for a variety of applications. Revise Job Classifications for the Fire Department September 21, 2021 Page 4 of 5 Under “Minimum Qualifications,” revised the following: • Experience: Replaced four years with six years of fire prevention experience • License or Certificate: added the following requirements o Possession of ICC Fire Marshal certification or equivalent. o Registration as a fire Protection Engineer with the CA State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers is highly desirable. o Possession of or ability to obtain PC 832 certification within probationary period. o Obtain NIMS Certifications IS 700 and IS 800 within six months of appointment. o Obtain ICS Certification in ICS 100 and 200 series within six months of appointment. I. Fire Inspector (retitled to “Fire Prevention Specialist”) Similar to the revisions made to the Fire Marshal job classification, clarify certain administrative language and/or reduce its redundancy including the following: • Work performance and tasks will be under the “Community Risk Reduction Division” versus the Fire Prevention Bureau Division. Under the “Examples of Important and Essential Duties,” added the task to respond to requests from schools, businesses, organizations and the general public for fire safety, injury prevention and community preparedness information, literature and materials. Under “Job Related and Essential Qualifications,” deleted paragraphs pertaining to knowledge of techniques of fire and arson investigations. Under its “Minimum Qualifications,” added the following language: Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to achieve this is: • Experience: Added “progressively responsible” experience of three years specific to community risk reduction, fire prevention, plan review, and/or inspections. • Training: Added Fire Science or a related field. • License or Certificate: Added need to obtain NIMS Certifications IS 700 and 800 and ICS 100 and 200 within six months of appointment. The recommended changes were discussed with the Arcadia City Employees Association and they have agreed to the proposed changes. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA. Revise Job Classifications for the Fire Department September 21, 2021 Page 5 of 5 FISCAL IMPACT Approval of this item has no direct fiscal impact to the City. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and approve the revised classification specifications for the following Fire Department positions: Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Battalion Chief, Fire Captain, Fire Engineer, Fire Paramedic, Firefighter, Fire Marshal, and Fire Inspector. Attachment: Fire Department Revised Class Specifications Attachment