DEPARTMENT: Fire
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Reclassification of Firefighter Position
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) to reclassify a vacant Firefighter position to Fire Captain for a total cost of $15,595.00. Funding for this reclassification action is available through the FY2018 Operating budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The SAFD Communications Division is responsible for processing all 911 and non-emergency calls to the department, dispatching units to emergencies, tracking all front line Fire Department assets, logistical support of Fire Department assets during large scale incidents, as well as management of the Fire Department Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).
The Communications Division currently operates with 49 uniformed positions working four operational shifts. This includes forty-four Fire Engineers (11 per shift) and five Lieutenants (one per shift and an Executive Officer on 40hr schedule). Previously, a Division Chief (District Chief) was assigned to Communications in order to provide onsite supervision of the Division. Due to the tremendous amount of square footage under the control of the SAFD, this Division Chief was re-aligned in 2017 to manage the Office of Facilities and Grounds within the Services Division.
The Communications Division is currently supervised by a Captain that has been detailed from the Firefighting Division.
ISSUE:
The SAFD is in need of an on-site position at the Captain rank that is responsible for the overall management Communications Division. The creation of the position will allow the SAFD to assign someone to the position permanently, thus relieving the department of the requirement to pay overtime and higher classification pay in the Firefighting Division, as well as to an individual on Special Assignment to the Communications Division.
Additionally, this reclassification action would allow the F...
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