07-18-2012 FSTF MIN FIRE SERVICE Wednesday,July 18, 2012
_ TASK FORCE 6:30 p.m.
E !'►.^. Elk River City Hall or
River MINUTES
0. ATTENDANCE
See attached attendance roster.
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The July 18, 2012, meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Captain Nierenhausen.
2. CONSIDER AGENDA
No changes to the agenda were made.
3. APPROVE MINUTES FROM JUNE 6, 2012
Moved by District Chief Collins and seconded by Firefighter King to approve the
minutes from June 6, 2012. Motion carried.
4. OPEN FORUM
No one appeared for Open Forum.
5. DISCUSSION TOPICS
5.1. Organizational structure
5.2. Succession planning
Chief Cunningham presented a PowerPoint that summarized research conducted and
data assembled by Task Force members regarding job descriptions and organizational
structure. Captain Nierenhausen presented additional findings about other departments'
organizational governance, oversight and chain-of-command,including duty officer
programs. Finance Director Simon went through a benchmarking survey that was
recently completed that included data from a number of fire departments.
Organizational structure diagrams of a number of similar communities were displayed
on the board. The Task Force compared the existing organizational structure to other
similar departments.
The Task Force began assembling a draft list of initiatives,goals and objectives
pertaining to organizational structure and career development. A new organizational
structure was posted and will be brought back at a later meeting for further discussion.
The Task Force also discussed current staffing levels and issues facing fire departments
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across the county,including the expected length of service of firefighters,recognizing
that the trend is, on average, five years. Discussion was held about the future fire service
demands facing Elk River. Staff was asked to bring back information on staffing costs
from other cities.
5.3. The "new" fire department—what's in a name?
Chief Cunningham spoke briefly about how the Elk River"Fire" Department is more
encompassing than just fire related services, specifically as it relates to building
inspections, rental inspections, code enforcement and other services that now fall under
the auspices of the depalLunent and the fire chief.
6. ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
The Task Force discussed how the final plan will be assembled and distributed.
7. DISCUSS FUTURE AGENDA
The next Task Force meeting will be on August 15,2012 at 6:30 p.m.
8. ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The July 18, 2012 meeting of the Fire Service Task Force adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Recorded By:
T. Chief Cunningham, Fire Chief
FIRE SERVICE Wednesday,July 18, 2012
TASK FORCE 6:30 p.m.
City of
E7u�Rlr1 VE'T MEETING ROSTER
Task Force Members
Name Signature Representing
Collins, Phil Present Fire Department (21+)
Cunningham,John Present Fire Department (Chief)
Curtis, Chris Present Fire Department (I 1-20)
Dietz,John Present City of Elk River (Council)
Gumphrey,Jerry Present City of Elk River (Council)
King, Dave Present Fire Department (6-10)
Libor,Joseph Present Fire Department (1-5)
Nierenhausen, Ron Present Police Department
Simon, Tim Present City of Elk River (Finance)
Streich,Jerry Present Outside Fire Chief
Ad Hoc Members
Name Signature Representing
Portner, Calvin Present City of Elk River (Administration)
Wipper, Lauren City of Elk River (H/R)
Invited Guests
Name Signature Representing
None
Note: Those wishing to speak at the Open Forum are asked to complete the "Open Forum Information
Sheet"
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