HomeMy WebLinkAboutPO 7248: FIRE DEPARTMENT STAFFING Ciy of
ort rthu ^
Texas
www.PortArthurTx.gov
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
Date: July 5, 2024
To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council
Through: Ron Burton, City Manager
From: Robert L. Havens. Interim Fire Chief
RE: PO 7248 —Fire Department Staffing
Introduction:
The intent of this ordinance is to seek the City Council's approval to reallocate one (1) Deputy
Fire Chief position with one (1) additional Battalion Chief position and one (1) additional Fire
Captain position. This will change the staffing in the fire department from 112 to 113
positions.
Background:
Since the adoption of the FY 22-23 budget, the Fire Department has had a second Deputy Fire
Chief position allocated. This position has never been filled. After reviewing the functions and
needs of the department, it is suggested that this position be replaced with one (1)new
Battalion Chief and one (1) new Fire Captain position as soon as possible.
With the Department's increasing involvement in EMS matters, a full time Battalion Chief
over EMS is warranted. This person would directly supervise and manage the Department's
EMS training, continual education, and certification programs. Additionally, this person would
track and manage the recertification of Fire Department members, review patient care reports,
manage the Department's EMS quality assurance and quality improvement program, and serve
as the First Responder Organization(FRO) coordinator.
The additional Fire Captain would be assigned to the Training Division and serve as a Deputy
Training Officer and as an Incident Safety Officer. Currently the Training Division is
composed of one Battalion Chief. That position is responsible for managing all of the
"Remember,we are here to serve the Citizens of Port Arthur"
P.O. Box 1089 X Port Arthur,Texas 77641-1089 X 409.983.8101 X FAX 409.982.6743
wr
Department's training and continuing education activities. At this time this includes
Firefighting, Hazardous Materials, Technical Rescue, Incident Command, and any one of the
myriad of other training needs or State and Federal mandates that are required of our
personnel. Additionally, that Battalion Chief has been charged with developing and
implementing a professional development program for the Department and serves as the
Department's state compliance officer.
There is simply more work than one person can effectively manage. Adding this new Fire
Captain position to the Training division will greatly benefit the Department's training activity.
Budget Impact:
Due to the cost savings by reallocating the Deputy Fire Chief position, this recommendation
will offset the overall cost for the two newly requested positions. This proposal will not impact
the current FY Fire Department budget. This reallocation will positively affect the requested
budget for 2024-2025.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that City Council approve PO 7248.
"Remember,we are here to serve the Citizens of Port Arthur"
P.O.Box 1089 X Port Arthur,Texas 77641-1089 X 409.983.8101 X FAX 409.982.6743
P. O. No. 7248
7/5/24 rlh
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AS IT PERTAINS TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
STAFFING LEVELS
WHEREAS, the Fire Department has a total of 112 positions and are delineated as
follows:
Classification: Range: Number:
Fire Chief 63 1
Deputy Chief 360 2
Battalion Chief 350 5
Fire Marshal 340 1
Fire Captain 320 32
Fire Engineer 310 30
Firefighter 300 39
Executive Secretary 30 2
Total 112
; and
WHEREAS, the Fire Department has requested a change in the Fire Department
Staffing; and
WHEREAS, the Fire Department is requesting to decrease the number of Deputy Fire
Chiefs by one (1) position and increase the number of Fire Captain positions by one (1) and
increase the number of Battalion Chief positions by one (1); and
WHEREAS; this staffing change will add only one (1)positions to the total number of
personnel; and
WHEREAS; it is deemed in the best interest of the citizens to allow the change to the
Fire Department Staffing;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PORT ARTHUR:
Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct.
Section 2. That the Fire Department staffing levels are changed as follows:
Classification: Range: Number:
Fire Chief 63 1
Deputy Chief 360 1
Battalion Chief 350 6
Fire Marshal 340 1
Fire Captain 320 33
Fire Engineer 310 30
Firefighter 300 39
Executive Secretary 30 2
Total 113
Section 3. That a copy of the caption of this Ordinance be spread upon the Minutes
of the City Council.
Section 4. That this being an Ordinance amending an Ordinance which does not
carry a penalty, and does not require publication, it shall take effect immediately from and after
its passage.
READ,ADOPTED, and APPROVED on this day of , A.D.,
2024, at a City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote: AYES:
Mayor:
Councilmembers:
_.. -. .'orIF1*in ci 7: y - .,r,x ,.-. _... -,:,nvmnwe,€..
NOES: •
MAYOR
ATTEST:
SHERRI BELLARD
CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
JA► ' BLACK
IN RIM CITY ATTORNEY
APPR ADMINISTRATION:
RONAL RTON
CI ANAGER
R BER L. HAVENS
INTERIM FIRE CHIEF