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Commissioner Bowles asked how is the rotation covered when there are <br />vacation and sick leave to be considered. <br />Chief Oliveira stated that a recall or delegation of temporary assignments and/or <br />transfers are administered to personnel from other stations. Given the number of <br />vacancies recall and overtime is expected. <br />Commissioner Bowles asked if HFD is on target for this matter. <br />Chief Oliveira stated that this is only the first phase of increasing staffing levels, <br />and reaching the goal. The goal is to fill five positions per apparatus. That will <br />bring the staffing level to 110%. This is a partnership between the administration <br />and employees. <br />Commissioner Bowles stated that it doesnt seem efficient; although he <br />recognizes this as a National standard, a consideration for a rotating pool would <br />seem better. <br />Chief Oliveira stated that problems with a pool would incur expenses such as <br />travelcosts,awarenessofgeographicarea,meals,andunionissues.Relocating <br />personnel is a very short move between stations and allows more flexibility in <br />accommodating vacation and sick leaves. <br />Commissioner Fergerstrom explained that more money is paid when people are <br />moved out of district due to government unions and labor contracts. <br />Commissioner Fergerstrom agreed with Chief Oliveira that once manpower is <br />increased some personnel will feel its okay to be absent because the positions <br />are filled. Changing the mentality will be an evolutionary process. <br />Commissioner Bowles stated that there is a need to recognize the responsibility <br />of the fiscal side of this. It may be cheaper to pay the overtime than to hire <br />additional people. The community looks at the costs of government and the <br />taxes theyre paying. The HFC needs to be responsive to the people they are <br />representing. <br />Chief Oliveira stated that the HFD is at the start of the next collective bargaining <br />negotiations with the Union. The first issue discussed was a package arbitrated <br />regarding rank to rank overtime. This proposal was put together by the Union. If <br />a ranked individual is on vacation the HFD will back fill that position with <br />overtime-ranked personnel on recall. This would allow safer operations with <br />qualified individuals replacing their counterpart. One problem is that after a while <br />the personnel doesnt want the overtime, they would rather have their time off. <br />Another problem is fire service using 24-hour schedule brings liability issues <br />nationwide. The HFD needs to be fiscally responsible. <br />4 <br /> <br />