5.2. SR 08-15-1994
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ITEM 5.2.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
PAT KLAERS, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
DATE:
AUGUST 12, 1994
SUBJECT: FIRE CHIEF RECOMMENDATION
In 1989, at a joint meeting of the City Council and Fire Department, a
motion was approved to establish a full time fIrefIghter selection committee.
The Committee has four members, consisting of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and
two representatives of the Fire Department, and was established in order to
help in the selection of a new Fire Chief. The motion that was approved
included the statement that the Committee would "...interview and select one
candidate to be recommended by majority decision to the City Council."
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Earlier this summer, the City Council approved the Fire Chief/Fire Marshal
updated job description and authorized the advertisement for this vacant
position in Elk River. The City received approximately 25 applications for
this position and all of these applications were reviewed by the Committee.
The Committee interviewed ten candidates on 8/1/94 and 8/2/94. Following
the second night of interviews, the Committee discussed all of the applicants
and came to a consensus on the top three candidates. Reference checks were
made on these top candidates by three of the Committee members and
myself.
On 8/8/94, the Committee met to review the references on the top three
candidates. After discussing all of the information that was received, it was
the unanimous recommendation of the four member Committee that it
recommend to the City Council, Mr. Bruce West from Anoka, as its top
candidate for the Elk River Fire Chief/Fire Marshal position. Attached for
your review is Mr. West's resume.
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The City Council can take any action it wants on this recommendation from
the Committee, but it may be appropriate for the City Council to interview
this candidate at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, 8/29/94 prior to the budget
worksession. If this candidate is then deemed acceptable by the City Council,
negotiations can begin on appropriate terms and conditions of employment.
By recommending Mr. West to the Council as the top candidate for the Fire
Chief position, the Committee felt that it was fulfIlling its responsibility as
outlined at the 1989 joint meeting ofthe Fire Department and City Council.
P.O. Box 490. 13065 Orono Parkway · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
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July 7, 1994
City of Elk River
Fire Chief/Fire Marshal Selection Conunittee
Elk River, :MN 55330
Selection Committee:
I would like to introduce myself, Bruce A West, to your seleclion committee and give you
some of my fire service background.
The Anoka-Champlin Fire Department is a combination fun-time and paid on-call fire
department. Our fire department consists of two stations, 43 paid on-call firefighters and 4
full-time staff members. The Anoka-Champlin Fire Department has a coverage area that
includes two cities and one township with a population served of approximately 50,000
people. Our department responds to approximately 530 incidents per year.
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My position in our department is two-fold. I am one of the full-time staff members and
also a paid on-call firefighter. My resume will describe in detail my responsibililies and
accountability for both positions. I have been in the fire service and a member of the
Anoka-Champlin Fire Department for 16 years.
I also have been involved in our fire departments training programs. In October 1990, I
attended the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland The two week on-campus
class I attended was Fire Service Instructional Methodology. This is a course designed for
fire department training officers and fire service instructors. I have instructed various
classes which range from "Apparatus f' to "Responding to the Hazardous Materials
Incident".
In March 1994 again I attended the National Fire Academy participating in the Fire
Inspection Principles two week on-campus course. This course entailed the fundamentals
of Fire Code enforcement, plans review, investigating fire code complaints, exiting
requirements and many other areas in fire inspection. The interaction with fire service
personnel during the on-campus classes is very rewarding and an experience one will never
forget.
I hold a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Cloud State University of which my major
was Business Marketing. Enclosed for your reference are fire service certificates received
from my conlinuing education. Again I would like to thank you for this opportunity to
introduce myself to your selection committee. I look forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully,
.
Bruce A West
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Bruce A. West
2902 8th Avenue North
Anolm, MN 55303
Education
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud,:MN 56301
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Marketing
1973-1977 St. Cloud State University
1971-1973 Anoka Senior High School
Academic Preparation
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Major: Business Marketing
All areas of marketing and business studied.
Minor objective: Managerial Finance
Business core areas completed: Accounting, Managerial economics, Statistics.
Business areas included: short and long term planning, capital budgeting, decision making,
problem solving and others.
Skills
Computer knowledgeable: software Wordperfect 5.1, Microsoft windows 3.1, MS-DOS 6,
McDonnen-Douglas Office Administration.
Communications: excenent with people, energetic team leader, listener and leader, wen
organized and goal setter.
Fire Service Experience
August 1987-Present
Anoka-Champlin Fire Department
2015 1st Avenue North
Anoka, :MN 55303
. Title: Dutyperson/Dispatcher/Pump Operator/Driver
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As a fun-time employee of the Anoka-Champlin Fire Department some of my duties
include processing the Minnesota Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS) reports for all
fire department incidents during the year. Our fire department uses a Fire Reporting
software to :liJl out the reports and then send via tape the completed reports to the State
Fire Marshals office.
I plan, gather and develop the annual report for our fire department relating to the
emergency incidents the department responds to during the year. The report is prepared as
a SUIIlII1lI1y of the years activilies and presented to the Anoka-Champlin Joint Powers
Board and the City Councils of Anoka and Champlin. I have included a sample copy of the
1993 report.
Also among my duties is the preparation of the monthly payroll for the paid on-call
firefighters. Using spreadsheet software, I prepare the payroll for the finance department to
process for the firefighters payroll.
Updating and maintaining the monthly training activities for the firefighters records.
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Maintenance of the fire departments apparatus, SCBA maintenance, other duties as
required to assure proper working order of all fire department equipment.
Certificates enclosed detailing formal training classes completed
1978-Present
Paid on-caU Firefighter
Anoka-Champlin Fire Department
Currently: Fire Captain
Officer in the Anoka-Champlin Fire Department for 9 years, 5 as Captain, 4 years as
Lieutenant.
Served as a member of the Truck Committee for the research and development of
specifications for the bidding of new firefighting apparatus and equipment.
Served as Chairperson of the fire departments Personnel Committee. This conunittee has
the responsibility for the advertisement, screening, interviewing and selecting fIrefighter
candidates for employment with the Anoka-Champlin Fire Department.
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As an officer, I have been actively involved in the budgeting and short and long term
capital planning for our fire departments operations. Our department has implemented a 20
year capital outlay program for the replacement of the firefighting apparatus.
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Business Experience
October 1985-August 1987
Full-Time employment
August 1987-Present
Part-time employment
Howard Lumber Company
Interstate Lumber Company
539 Pierce St.
Anob,:MN 55303
Salesperson
Retail/Contractor Lumber sales
Estimation of building materials for the preparation of bidding lumber and millwork for
new construction and remodeling.
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Building design and structural design, complete knowledge of interior and exterior building
construction.
October 1981-1985
Arena Manager
Anoka Area Ice Arena and Civic Center
4111 7th Avenue North
Anob, :MN 55303
The primary objective of my position was to provide leadership and direclion in the
operation and maintenance of the facility in a manner which would assure the public a high
qua1ity recreational facility.
Development and execution of job descriptions for the full-time and part-time arena
employees through recruitment, screening, interviewing and selecling arena personnel.
Preparation and administration of the yearly arena budget. As manager of the arena, one of
the responsibilities was the day to day financial decisions concerning the arenas operation.
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Monthly preparation of records for the financial statement to compare with the yearly
budget projections.
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July 1978-1981
Construction Supervisor
Ronald G. West Development Company
Anob, :MN 55303
Complete coordination and organization of all activities surrounding the construction and
remodeling of residential and commercial property. Organizing and scheduIing of the daily
work assignments of the subcontractors to meet the needs and time schedules of the
companies construction projects.
Additional References
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Tim Farmer
Fire Chief
Coon Rapids Fire Department
Coon Rapids, :MN 55433
See enclosW'e
Harold J. Blair
President
Local Oil Company
Anob, :MN 55303
See enclosure
Arthur Bendiske
Owner
Bendiske Concrete
Anob, :MN 55303
See enclosure
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