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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/18/2003 (3)February 18, 2003 EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT The District Board of Commissioners of the Emergency Services District met at the County Commission Chambers, 1840 25tH Street, Vero Beach, Florida, on Tuesday, February 18, 2003. Present were Kenneth R. Macht, Chairman; Caroline D. Ginn, Vice Chairman; Fran B. Adams; Thomas S. Lowther, and Arthur R. Neuberger. Also present were James Chandler, County Administrator; Paul G. Bangel, County Attorney; and Patricia Ridgely, Deputy Clerk. The Chairman called the meeting to order at 11:50 a.m. 14.A.1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 21, 2003 The Chairman asked if there were any corrections or additions to the Minutes of the Meeting of January 21, 2003. There were none. ON MOTION MADE by Vice Chairman Ginn, SECONDED by Commissioner Adams, the Board unanimously approved the Minutes of the Meeting of January 21, 2003, as written and distributed. 14.A.2. PROPOSED CHANGES IN JOB DESCRIPTIONS OF FIREFIGHTERS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THEIR DUAL CERTIFICATIONS (NATIONAL REGISTRY) (VOLUNTARY/NON-MANDATORY) MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Lowther, SECONDED by Commissioner Neuberger, to approve staff's February 18, 2003 1 E.S.D. recommendation. (Authorize staff to make the announced changes to the firefighters' job descriptions as set out in the memorandum dated February 9, 2003. Firefighters who elect to participate as recognized paramedics would be required to perform paramedic skills and assist in the delivery of advance life support services.) Under discussion, Vice Chairman Ginn advised she was not in favor of this recommendation. She had questions of staff. Chairman Macht stated that he had been pursuing many sources of information concerning this matter and suggested the Board defer this to the ESDAC (Emergency Services District Advisory Committee) meeting on March 6th at which time all the considerations can be laid on the table for everyone to understand. Vice Chairman Ginn agreed she would like to see it go through the committee. Commissioner Lowther wanted to get it done and pressed for a vote. He stated the Board gave staff the job to come back with a proposal and, by getting this out of the way, ESDAC could start the serious talks. Emergency Services Director John King responded to Commissioner Ginn's many questions concerning recent re -certifications, the differences between the National Registry and State certification, education and training provided in Indian River Community College, how training for re -certification could be provided, the hours required, the types of training requirements, and advised that a change in the job descriptions would not affect the contract. Commissioner Ginn believed this to be a back door attempt to reopen negotiations and understood it is just the firefighters and not the paramedics who want to make this change in their job description. Commissioner Lowther maintained he was only trying to allow firefighters who are February 18, 2003 E.S.D. certified as paramedics to do the job because they came to the table. The paramedics did not. He stressed this would be voluntary, not mandatory, and would not mean a monetary change. Director King interjected that if the requirement was made mandatory then it could impact bargaining. Commissioner Neuberger advised he planned to vote in favor of the recommendaton. Vice Chairman Ginn was concerned the firefighters could be rusty on their skills and was not ready to agree to this change. She also thought this should have come up during contract negotiations. Chairman Macht wanted to see this on the floor for discussion and get some answers. He was going to have to vote "no" if everyone does not get the full facts. Commissioner Adams pointed out that National Registry is not required for our employees. She believed this job description change was being used to avoid looking at the whole issue. The Commissioners need to hear the rest of the story; the whole truth: good, bad, and ugly. Until this happens, she could not support this motion. County Administrator Chandler explained that when the subject of maintaining National Registry Certification first came up it was determined that National Registry is not a requirement for employment in the state or county. This proposal was brought forward in an effort for those firefighters to remain in the National Registry. The changes in wording appear on pages 231 and 232 of the backup and would be voluntary, not mandatory. This proposed change in their job descriptions would not reopen any contracts, nor require collective bargaining. Chairman Macht understood the National Registry is irrelevant in the State of Florida and believed the Commissioners ought not to be concerned with what is going on outside the state. Commissioner Neuberger had no idea this would be depicted as a back door move; it is just training. When ESDAC meets, the whole issue can be discussed there. February 18, 2003 E.S.D. Director King advised he was included in a conference call with the National Registry in Ohio. These employees cannot just have the education, but must be actually using these skills in order to re -certify. The Medical Director has to sign off on their applications. If not re -certified when certification expires, Director King assumed they would have to take their tests over again. The Chairman called the QUESTION, which failed upon a vote of 2-3. (Commissioners Adams, Macht and Ginn opposed) Commissioner Neuberger moved to bring this matter to ESDAC; there was no second. (CLERK'S NOTE: ESDAC meeting scheduled for 3/6/03.) There being no further business, on Motion duly made, seconded, and carried, the Board adjourned at 12:09 p.m. ATTEST: Jeffrey K. Barton, Clerk Kenneth R. Macht, Chairman Minutes Approved: February 18, 2003 4 E.S.D.