A new full-time firefighter will join the Newton Fire Department after the city council gave the green light at its Tuesday meeting.
Newton Fire Chief Jarrod Wellik requested the additional position during a budget workshop, and the council approved its inclusion in the budget moving forward.
“I’m excited,” Wellik said. “It is a chance for us to staff at a level that is appropriate for the business that we are doing.”
In a report he sent to the council, Wellik outlined the need for the position as well as its effect on the budget. Under the current staffing level, two shifts are staffed at six and one shift is staffed at seven. The goal of the fire department is to be staffed at a level of seven staff per shift. The new position brings the total number of full-time firefighters to 22.
“By adding one person to each crew, bringing the staff level back to seven per shift allows there to be a minimum of six crew members per shift,” Wellik said.
Adding one full-time staff member will fill out the roster to seven crew members on two shifts and six full-time crew members with one part-time the other shift.
The cost associated with adding a full-time employee start at $83,322 including salary and benefits. It will be paid for in part by savings from part-time wages and the elimination of overtime, which will actually save the city approximately $37,584.
With vacation and sick absences, the staffing level is currently at six about 50 percent of the time and five about 50 percent of the time. Last year, the department implemented a part-time program to help fill the needed positions. Following the recruiting process, 11 candidates were hired.
Currently, there are nine part-time staffers with only six remaining from the original hire. Wellik said turnover has been high in the position as qualified employees leave for full-time positions at other departments.
The department would like to get at a level of six positions on shift for several reasons.
“First and foremost is an Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirement for two-in/two-out rule for firefighting safety,” Wellik said.
The basis for the rule says if there are any two people in a hazardous environment, there has to be two people on the outside to perform an effective rescue if needed.
At current staffing levels, it is common for crews to be staffed with five, and initial responses require all members to fill various positions. The officers on shift perform the duties of incident commander, one member is a the driver/pump operator and two people for the engine become the entry team, leaving one person for rescue.
Having a six-crew member shift would also support the staffing level preferred by the Insurance Services Organization. The ISO rating is used by insurance companies to calculate insurance rates primarily for business occupancies. Changes in the rates could have dramatic impacts to businesses for the cost of property insurance.
“It makes sense in a number of ways. Not only economically but also safety and having personnel available when they are needed,” mayor Mike Hansen said.
The council also decided not to move forward with a full-time information technology position for the city. A review provided by city clerk Katrina Davis found that adding a position at this time may be premature. City staff will continue to seek opportunities with outside agencies to fulfill IT needs.
Budget talks will continue for the council at a second budget workshop at 6 p.m. Monday at city hall.
Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com