2020.02.24 Council Agenda Item 5
Summary
Presentation and special public comment opportunity on Falmouth Fire-EMS Department staffing study findings.
A public comment period will be included with this item.
ACTION: Council action is not anticipated.
Description
Background:
Over its 107-year history, Falmouth Fire-EMS has evolved from an all-volunteer fire company to a combination Fire-EMS department made up of six full-time staff (including one office administrator), thirty part-time per diem firefighter/paramedics and firefighter/EMTs, and sixty call firefighters and emergency medical technicians. Of the call firefighters and EMTs nearly 1/3 of them reside outside Falmouth. The Department’s call volume and duties have also vastly expanded. These changes in staffing structure, including decreased availability of call members, increased call volume, and expanded services have resulted in staffing challenges for the Department.
In July 2019, the Town issued an RFP for a study of current and future Falmouth Fire-EMS Department staffing needs. The goal of the study is to determine the adequacy of current staffing and future needs for full-time, per-diem members (part-time), and paid-on-call. Town staff reviewed the four firms who submitted proposals and selected Criterion and Associates to conduct the study. In advance of the study findings, Chief Howard Rice delivered a presentation on the Department’s current and past staffing structure and the related challenges facing the Department at the January 27, 2020 Council meeting.
Travis Miller of Criterion and Associates delivered presentation outlining the staffing study findings at the February 10, 2020 Council meeting
Current Status:
At this Council meeting, the public is invited to provide feedback regarding the staffing study findings. Staff will deliver an additional PowerPoint presentation on the staffing study findings at the meeting. The staffing study will be provided at a later date due to Mr. Miller's prolonged illness.
