City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  November 1, 2005

Item No.:        

Recommendation:  Comments from Chief Hammernik on the SAFER Act grant and future staffing and reorganization ideas for the Oak Creek Fire Department.  This item is informational only.

Background: The Fire Department submitted a grant application for the SAFER Act grant program.  We have been notified that our application was not selected for a grant.  The program had $65 million dollars available and applications were received from around the nation for $1.1 billion.  Council will need to decide on a plan of action to address the staffing needs during 2006 either by using the funds that were budgeted in 2006, to address the issue in the 2007 budget, or to submit an application in the next year of SAFER Act funding.  Until this staffing need is met, the department will be unable to establish the 4-5-4 staffing pattern that has been set as a goal.

There is also a need to begin to think about future staffing patterns in the department, including the proper ratio of management to union positions.  Council should note that all of the line supervisors in the department (Lieutenants and Captains) are members of the same union as the members they supervise.  It is the suggestion of the Fire Chief that the elected officials, fire department management and the leaders of Local 1848 meet during 2006 to discuss these future staffing issues.

Fiscal Impact:  Any future costs would be determined by Council actions on these issues.

Prepared by:

Gerard R. Hammernik

Fire Chief

Fiscal Review by:

Beverly A. Buretta, CMC

City Clerk