10/15/1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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OCT 1991 WK U F'A;r For the most part, the revised rules and regulations required only organization name changes for the fire division and the addition of articles relating to the inclusion of the EMS division into the directives. There were also some changes required to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and minor revisions to comply with other state and federal laws. Salary and fringe benefits provided by contract to bargaining unit members are not conveyed to non -contract employees by virtue of approval of these rules and regulations by the Board. Those areas of the rules and regulations have been identified and clarified as to what is available to contract and non -contract employees, respectively. The EMS staff have gained in terms of benefit which was not previously afforded to them or any other county employee. The new benefit is in Article 9.08 relating to special consideration for prudent use of medical leave. The benefit is a $50.00 savings bond and one additional day off (birthday) in the next calendar year for those full-time permanent employees using three (3) days or less medical leave during the year. Staff asserts the additional benefit provided to the EMS personnel is favorable to management in that any reduction in the amount of medical leave used reduces the amount of overtime which has to be paid. A $50.00 savings bond is far less than paying one shift of overtime and staff recommends approval of this additional benefit. Staff has sufficient funds in the budget for the current fiscal year to provide this benefit which is estimated to cost less than $5,000. This amount'is reduced further when compared to the potential for expense related to overtime pay rates. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of the Department of Emergency Services . Rules and Regulations which includes the job descriptions for the fire and EMS divisions with an effective date of November 1, 1991. ON MOTION by Commissioner Scurlock, SECONDED by Commissioner Wheeler, the Board unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Eggert being absent) approved the Department of Emergency Services Rules and Regulations which will be effective November 1, 1991. Chairman Bird asked about the status of the volunteer corp in the North County. Emergency Services Director Doug Wright reported that we continue to fund those four volunteer departments in the North County. He said his department has shared and involved them in these rules and regulations. He reported that there has been a reduction in the number of responses to callouts. Without mentioning the specific department, he stated that last month they had an estimated 14 callouts and zero responses, which concerns him. He said they try to meet with the individual departments but continue to have problems because only four or five people show up for the meetings and it is difficult to generate interest on that 40