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Department Labor Contractor George E. French authorizing payment up <br />to $27,178.20, as recommended in the memorandum. <br />WORK AUTHORIZATION DIRECTIVE IS ON FILE <br />IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK TO THE BOARD <br />13.D. COMMISSIONER THOMAS S. LOWTHER - DUAL -CERTIFIED <br />EMPLOYEES IN THE EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT <br />At the request of Commissioner Lowther, Department of Emergency Services Director John <br />King spoke in reference to the recent labor negotiations. Both labor unions presented concerns <br />about employees losing state or national licensures. Director King has 40 employees that are <br />dual -certified. He explained some paramedics have lost their State fire licensure and need to <br />re -certify, and some paramedics may lose their State fire licensure this year. These paramedics are <br />in jeopardy of not being able to re -certify. Eight firefighters are nationally paramedic certified and <br />they may lose their licensure in March 2003. Ambulances are dispatched on every structure fire but <br />technically the paramedics can not use their firefighting skills. Ambulances and fire trucks are <br />dispatched to accidents but firefighters cannot use their paramedic skills. <br />Director King felt he would be able to reduce the number of units dispatched to a scene if <br />he could utilize all the available staff. Also, there is a "minimum man" requirement on both <br />contracts. If we obtain permission to use some flexibility then when an employee calls in sick at the <br />last minute, he may be able to reduce some costs. Other counties are now using a dual -certified <br />system. They are taking valuable staff from our district. He asked the Board to direct staff to <br />conduct generalized discussions, not formal negotiations, with each labor group for the purpose of <br />a short-term solution to assist our employees who are in jeopardy of losing their second <br />certifications. In both collective bargaining agreements there are labor management committees <br />whose mission is to hammer out some of these issues. When a solution is found, that <br />recommendation by management would be brought back to the Board. If labor and management are <br />not successful, he would have to report to his employees that maintaining their certifications is not <br />a condition of their employment and he is not in a position to assist them in retaining their licensure. <br />Commissioner Adams felt this was a great approach and the employees need to keep their <br />certifications. <br />JANUARY 14, 2003 17 <br />