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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Alisia Lewis, Director of Human Resources
DATE: September 15, 2016
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 13.5-6(B) of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances Entitled "Safety Personnel Qualifications".
PURPOSE:
To update and codify the current practices in regards to the hiring requirements for the firefighter/paramedic position.
BACKGROUND:
Traditionally, the City has hired new Fire Privates without a paramedic certification. The City then covers the cost of certification for the employee as needed. It takes approximately two years for an individual to complete his/her certification. This process can be disruptive to the operational needs as well as costly, since the individual must be taken off duty in order to attend classes and often requires the absence to be covered by personnel at overtime rates. In fact, the total cost for one employee to complete the certification (including overtime) ranges from $35,000-$40,674.
The Fire Private Civil Service List will expire on November 2nd of this year. The City will be implementing a web based testing process to establish the next Fire Private Civil Service List. The same testing process was used to establish the current Police Officer Civil Service List.
DISCUSSION:
Due to the addition of a new ambulance (Medic 7) which will be located at station 7, the Fire Department will need to hire nine additional firefighters/paramedics to fulfill the staffing need. In anticipation of upcoming retirements and promotions out of the paramedic rank as well as taking budgetary concerns into account, we are seeking authorization to amend the ordinance to allow the City the ability to require paramedic certification at the time of hire for the next testing cycle. This ensures that the new hires are capable and qualified to function as both a firefighter and paramedic.
Furthermore, the amendment to the ordinance also updates the hiring process to be in alignment with the adminis...
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