3.4. SR 02-14-2000**Item # 3.4. **
'ity of
River
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor & City Council
Pat Klaers, City Administrator
FROM: Bruce A. West, Fire Chief
DATE: February 14, 2000
SUBJECT: Addition of Firefighters
The Elk River Fire Department has been in the process of adding firefighters
due to the resignation and retirement of past firefighter members. During the
past three months we have advertised, screened, and interviewed potential
candidates for the position of paid-on-call firefighter for the Elk River. With
the process now complete, I am bringing to the council the names of five
candidates to fill the position of paid-on-call firefighter. The Elk River Fire
Department Personnel Committee has selected Jim Hildebrandt, Jeremiah
Sims, Chris Curtis, Mike DeMarre, and Rich Czech. The Elk River Fire
Department Personnel Committee believes they have five excellent candidates
for the position of paid-on-call firefighter.
With the approval of the City Council, and completion of the firefighter
physicals and stress tests, the new candidates will start with the Elk River
Fire Department on approximately March 1, 2000. With the addition of the
five new members, the roster of firefighters will be filled to 35 members.
The process of recruitment and retention of firefighters has become a very
difficult task for the Elk River Fire Department. Increased family
commitments and increased time commitments to the Elk River Fire
Department in reference to training and fire calls has increased the problem of
recruitment and retention of firefighters, not only for the Elk River Fire
Department, but all fire departments in the state of Minnesota.
I cannot be in attendance at the meeting as I will be out of town.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425