6. FSTF 04-04-2012Elk River Fire Service Task Force
• z-3 topics per meeting
• If further discussion or work is requiredona
specific topic, a subcommittee will be formed
to report back to the entireTask Force
• iTask Force member will serve as the chairperson
of the subcommittee
• The subcommittee can, and in many cases should,
involve outside entities
• By-Laws vs Procedures and Election vs
Selection
• City Code
• Elk River (Fire and)Ambulance Service
• Command and Officer Structure
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Agenda Item 6 1
Elk River Fire Service Task Force
• Problem5tatement
• The Elk River Fire Department currentlyoperotes
under a hybrid form of bylaws, policies,
procedures and other governing documents.
• This structure causes conflicts and confusion
internally.
• Legal opinions from the LMC and the city's law
frm have upheld that, as a city department, the
Fire Department is to be governed by policy and
not through "by-laws."
• Background Discussion
• Historical significance
• The "modernization" of the fire service
• Group consensus vs chain of command
• The ultimate authority ofa department
head/supervisor
• Monthly meetings-approving minutes, the
"treasurer's" report and discussing personnel
matters
ELR RIVER FIRE RND AMB VLGNCF SERVICE
BY~LRWE, DUTIES, PND
STANDNRD OPERATING GUIDELI~
Cill OI FIM1NI~tii
P1R>OS]Fr fUl lf~ U~\111.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Agenda Item 6 2
Elk River Fire Service Task Force
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• Elk River (Fireand)AmbulanceService
• A registered, non-profit agency
• This is the "Ambulance Service"
EtY. RIVER FIRE AND AMRDLAN<E SERVICE
BY-LA WS, O V TIES. AND
STANDARS'ED\OVE0.ATING GVIDEUNES
\ TM1is, boweoeq lz lM1e rover page for
the"Fire Department's by~lawz" ana
polic ,as they exists now.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Agenda Item 6 g
Elk River Fire Service Task Force
• Elk River (Fireand)Ambulance5ervice
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OL() NEW
• Problem Statement
• Lack of engagement, ownership and sense of
responsibility/accountability in department
leadership.
• Entitlement vs responsibility
• Lack of appropriate position descriptions which
spell out responsibilities, core competencies,
training and education, and essential functions.
• Potential burnout of active and engaged officers,
including the fire chief
Agenda Item 6
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
4
Elk River Fire Service Task Force
• Problem Statement
• Blurred areas of responsibilities with respect to
staff that have multiple titles (full-time position vs
firefighter position)
• Blurred succession/next-in-command authority
with respect today-to-day matters
• Background Discussion
• Engaged, committed and dedicated leadership is one of
the most important components of an emergency services
organization.
• Traditionalmethod of appointments was through voting
by the membership (popular vote) -this was mostly
eliminated (but still exists in city ordinance)
• Currently, most administrative work rests with the fire
chief and full/part time staff (from fixing a pager to
stapling agenda packets to planning training)
• Lack of engagement in Duty Officer program,despite
significant pay increase far most positions
Ftrecmer
Fire MarsM1al
Agenda Item 6
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
5
Elk River Fire Service Task Force
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Agenda Item 6 6