City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date: September 6, 2005

Item No.:         23

Recommendation:  That the Common Council approve sending two Oak Creek Fire Department personnel to assist in the recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina.

Background:  The federal government has requested 1,000 two person teams of fire department members to assist in the recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.  The assignment will be for at least 30 days and the conditions will be very difficult.  Persons on this assignment can expect to sleep on the ground and eat MRE’s.  They cannot expect the normal sanitary and comfort facilities.  Despite these difficulties, a number of department members have volunteered to be considered for this assignment.

Information is still being developed on this program at the time this report is prepared.  The employees would be covered by the City’s workers compensation in case of injury.  The federal government will reimburse for their salaries.  They would continue to be covered by our health insurance while deployed.  The members of Local 1848 would like to assist in this effort.  They have offered to work fill-ins for members sent to the hurricane area at straight time.  This will avoid the City having to pay overtime for staffing needed to replace the members on deployment.

Fiscal Impact:  Because of the federal reimbursement and the cost sharing by Local 1848, this should be budget neutral for the City.

Prepared and approved by:

Gerard R. Hammernik

Fire Chief

Steve Wilding

President Local 1848

Fiscal Review by:

Beverly A. Buretta, CMC

City Clerk