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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/18/2005 (3) October 18, 2005 EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT The Board of Commissioners of the Emergency Services District met at the County th Commission Chambers, 1840 25 Street, Vero Beach, Florida, on Tuesday, October 18, 2005. Present were Chairman Thomas S. Lowther, Vice Chairman Arthur R. Neuberger, Commissioners Sandra L. Bowden, Wesley S. Davis, and Gary C. Wheeler. Also present were Joseph A. Baird, County Administrator; William G. Collins, II, County Attorney; Kimberly Massung, Executive Aide to the Board; and Patricia M. Ridgely, Deputy Clerk. The Chairman called the meeting to order at 10:40 a.m. 14.A.1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – AUGUST 23, 2005 The Chairman asked if there were any corrections or additions to the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 23, 2005. There were none. ON MOTION by Commissioner Wheeler, SECONDED by Vice Chairman Neuberger, the Board unanimously approved the Minutes of the Meeting of August 23, 2005, as written. 14.A.2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 The Chairman asked if there were any corrections or additions to the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 13, 2005. There were none. October 18, 2005 1 E.S.D. ON MOTION by Commissioner Neuberger, SECONDED by Commissioner Wheeler, the Board unanimously approved the Minutes of the Meeting of September 13, 2005, as written. At 10:33 a.m. the Chairman called a brief recess for the benefit of the closed captioning writer. The Chairman reconvened the meeting at 10:40 a.m. 14.A.3. CONSIDERATION OF FINAL FIRE AND EMS CONSOLIDATION IMPLEMENTATION STUDY REPORT - STAFF TO INITIATE THE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS (MANAGEMENT ADVISORY GROUP) MOTION WAS MADE by Vice Chairman Neuberger, SECONDED by Commissioner Davis, to approve staff’s recommendation. Caroline Ginn , 1134 Old Galleon Lane, Vero Beach, was unhappy with the location of the ad about the workshop for this matter and stated the Board should again publish the agenda in the newspaper. She asked for clarification on several components of the report including the meaning of the Fair Labor Standards Act with regard to overtime. She also pressed for answers concerning the staffing of Stations 6 and 11 (on the beach); reclassifications of paramedic lieutenants; who will bear the cost for training toward dual certification; and concerns about the beach stations being used for training. She believed the consolidation plan to be unfair to , paramedicswas concerned it would downgrade service on the beach, and was still not convinced it would result in a cost-savings to the County. She also believed the County should return the paramedics to the hospital for continuum of care for cardiac patients and questioned the percentages of increase in firefighter salaries. October 18, 2005 2 E.S.D. Emergency Services Director John King, County Administrator Baird, Assistant County Administrator Mike Zito, and Donald Long (consultant with Management Advisory Group, Inc.) responded to Mrs. Ginn’s questions and concerns. In responding, Assistant County Administrator Mike Zito made the point that the goals are to unify the two groups and to apply the new regulations fairly. He also stated that by law the bargaining units would have an opportunity to bargain the impact of the consolidation. Emergency Services Director John King stated that training would be a big part of what happens at all stations. He has recommended that employees pay their own training costs but some of that training would be provided in-house. He also stated that our 2 ALS (advanced life support) engines would probably be located at Stations 4 and 7 to give coverage where the greatest numbers of calls occur. He anticipated that we would have more ALS engines as time goes by. He stressed that all services would be based on teamwork and explained how staffing of vehicles would occur based on the priority of the incident to which it is responding. He also explained how backups are handled. Although there will be fewer people, they will be better trained and there should be no reduction in services. He declared State law requires that only certified professionals perform certain procedures, and he estimated how long it will take for the entire department to become dual certified. Steve Myers , business representative for the Teamsters (paramedics), inquired as to changes from the last version of the plan to this version. Mr. Long advised the change concerned a reduction in staffing for Stations 6 and 11. A discussion was launched on the reasons for and effect of staffing one less person, during which it was pointed out that Stations 6 and 11 (on the beach) have the lowest volume of calls both in-season and off-season as compared to any other stations. County Administrator Baird pointed out that there is a third station on the beach as well and that he has observed on th numerous occasions an ambulance stationed near the 17 Street bridge. October 18, 2005 3 E.S.D. In response to Mr. Myers’ question about grandfathering current employees, County Administrator Baird stated that no employee will lose their job because of this consolidation, but he could not guarantee the same pay or position for every employee. The job description might change but his understanding is they would be able to keep their standard of living. The administration will make every effort to make this consolidation work. Bob Johnson waspleased the Board approved another station for the south part of the county and asked for clarification on the timing of rebuilding of Station 4 and the building of Station 12. County Administrator Baird advised that old Station 4 would be kept open the entire time. The new Station 4 will be built right behind the old one. The new Station 12 will be thrdth located on 5 Street SW somewhere between 43 and 58 Avenues (location to be determined). He assured Mr. Johnson there would be no interruption in service to the area. In response to Mr. Johnson’s next questions, Director King explained the procedure for replacement of a sick employee and the drug-testing program for the District’s employees. Commissioner Bowden asked to hear from the other gentleman from Management Advisory Group. John Fasana listed his credentials as a retired and former chief in the Fire and EMS fields in Waco, Los Angeles, Boston, and northern California. He stated he had witnessed a successful consolidation of Fire and EMS, knows it will work, and predicted it will improve service levels in both fire and emergency medical services. He believed this to be a good plan that will make a healthier organization and the citizens of Indian River County would benefit. The Chairman CALLED THE QUESTION and the motion carried unanimously. \[The Board 1) approved the Fire and EMS Consolidation Implementation Study, subject to any negotiations with the unions required by law; 2) authorized staff to move forward with the October 18, 2005 4 E.S.D. implementation process described in the memorandum, including the elimination and creation of new positions as presented in the Study subject to revision by the County Administrator or his designee; 3) authorized staff to bargain with the respective unions to the extent required by law; 4) authorized staff to modify the deployment practices of the District; 5) authorized staff to begin fire suppression and emergency medical training activities; and 6) authorized staff to take any action necessary to complete the consolidation in a timely manner, all as recommended in the memorandum of October 12, 2005.\] ALL BACKUP DOCUMENTATION IS ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK TO THE BOARD AND IS HEREBY MADE A PART OF THESE MINUTES Commissioner Bowden stated she is looking forward to the quality of service going up and everyone getting along. There being no further business, on Motion duly made, seconded and carried, the Board adjourned at 11:25 a.m. ATTEST: ___________________________________ ____________________________ Jeffrey K. Barton, Clerk Thomas S. Lowther, Chairman Minutes Approved: _________________________ pr October 18, 2005 5 E.S.D.