CLINTON —
The Clinton Fire Department will use funds from a federal grant to create a new position the entire city will be able to use to increase safety and possibly offset some potential workers compensation increases.
The safety director will be based in the fire department, but available to all city employees and will oversee mandatory training in CPR, blood-borne pathogens, OSHA issues, and hazardous materials management.
He or she would be responsible for the documentation and coordination of the training.
“I think from a city standpoint it’s certainly needed,” Clinton Fire Chief Mike Brown, said. “And from the fire department standpoint, we can save the city some money and add to our command staff.”
The fire department received a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant for more than $600,000, but was unable to accept most of the funds.
When the grant was originally applied for the fire department was slated to lose six positions due to budget shortfalls. However, in the budgeting process, five of those positions were restored, bringing the staffing level back up to 44.
Brown asked grant administrators if the funds could be applied toward the budget to offset the costs of the reinstated positions, but was told that would not be a viable option for the funds. Brown was told the department could either accept one-sixth of the funds or accept nothing at all.
Instead of not accepting any of the grant, the City Council decided it should accept $110,000, which will fund the wages and benefits of an entry-level position for two years. An employee will be promoted to this battalion chief level position, which entails an approximate additional $5,000 contribution from the city per year.
The caveat of accepting the grant funds is that no positions can be cut from the fire department for two years.
City Council members approved the move to create the position at their meeting on Tuesday night, with Councilwoman Maggie Klaes, Ward 1, dissenting.
Brown said barring any hurdles in the process, he hopes to have the position filled by Dec. 1 of this year. After the two-year period expires, the city will evaluate the effectiveness of the position.
Local News
September 27, 2012
City of Clinton will create fire department safety director position
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