HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/06/2012 03Cii Response to Citizen: Fire Department Brown Outs I t
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT /7 1,r
Item No. Cf •
For Meeting of: March 6, 2012
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ITEM TITLE: Response to Walt Ranta regarding Fire Department
Brown Outs
SUBMITTED BY: David Willson, Fire Chief
CONTACT Chief Willson, 575 -6165
PERSON/TELEPHONE:
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
This report is in response to the citizen request for a report from the Fire Chief
concerning brown outs that have occurred since January 1, 2012.
Resolution Ordinance Other
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Contract: Mail to:
Contract Term: Amount: Expiration Date:
Insurance Required? No
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APPROVED FOR
SUBMITTAL: City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
BOARD /COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
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❑ Memo re Brown Outs
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'ministration
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Tire Investigation
& Education .41\-1 401 North Front Street, Yakima, WA 98901 (509) 575 -6060
Training
Communications Fax (509) 576 -6356
REOEQ' = www.yakimafire.com
February 28, 2012
TO: Honorable Mayor, Members of City Council
Michael A. Morales, Interim City Manager
FROM: Dave Willson, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: YFD Brown Outs —
Response to Walt Ranta's request at Feb. 21, 2012 Council Meeting
Purpose of Brown Outs
Due to budget reductions and increased medical costs, the 2012 Yakima Fire Department
overtime budget was adjusted as a means to prevent the layoff of three Yakima Fire
Department employees. To meet the overtime budget we need to reduce the amount of times
we hire overtime to fill engine companies in service at certain times.
The Yakima Fire Department has 78 personnel assigned to fire suppression shift duty.
Excluding the Battalion Chief and the Airport Crash Rescue person, we have 24 persons per
shift which equates to eight (8) three person engine companies. There are five positions
available for earned leave on each shift which leaves 19 persons reporting for duty. Any
illnesses or injuries then reduce these numbers even lower.
Typically cities our size in Washington send seven engine companies to all structure fires. The
Yakima Fire Department sends five companies to a structure fire, which is a bare minimum by
industry standards. In past years we have had six companies on duty and kept one in service in
the City while the other five responded to the structure fire. By not hiring overtime to staff the
sixth company, we would send all five companies to the fire and not have coverage by the sixth
company until an off duty crew was called in. This "browning out" is something that should only
be viewed as a temporary solution to budget issues, not as a sustainable practice.
Brown Outs from January 1 — February 28, 2012
Out of 31 days in January, there were 5.5 days of brown outs of one vehicle, which was the aid
car at Station 91. During that same time period, Yakima Fire Department had: 5 apparatus in
service for 5.5 days, 6 apparatus in service 21.5 days and 7 apparatus in service 4 days. Prior
to 2012 (pre brown out), we maintained six apparatus at all times as a common practice, and it
was also mandated by the Council in the 2011 Concession Memorandum of Understanding with
International Association of Fire Fighters.
Out of 28 days in February, there have been 11.5 days of browning out of one vehicle, which
was the aid car at Station 91. During those 28 days, Yakima Fire Department had: 5 apparatus
in service 11.5 days, 6 apparatus in service 14.5 days and 7 apparatus in service 2 days. From
January 1 through February 28 the Yakima Fire Department was browned out to five apparatus
a total of 17 days.
Sick leave usage from January 1 through February 28 totaled 2,735 hours compared to 2,100
hours during the same time frame of 2011. This is an increase of 29.8% (26 shifts). My
estimates for brown outs using 2011 figures would be a brownout 69 times during the year.
This equates to 5.75 brown outs per month. So far this year we have had 17 brownouts or 8.5
per month. This increase in estimated brownouts can be attributed to the 29.8% increase in
sick leave usage so far in 2012. State mandate requires firefighters be cleared by a physician
to be 100% fit before returning to duty from an injury. We cannot return to duty with a soft cast
or reduced ability to perform a rescue etc. This causes an increased rate of sick leave.
Despite the increase in sick or injured firefighters the brown out plan is nearly on schedule as
estimated.
cc: Walt Ranta