West Thurston RFA

2011 Staffing Proposal

Current Problems

• Lack of “guaranteed” staffing around the clock at Stations 1-3 & 1-6.

• Staffing problems when two FEST Students are reporting to Station 1-1. (4 person aid car)

• Location of Shift Officer (Captain/BC)• Scheduling with regards to two different

schedules. (Trades, hourly and accrual rates are different)

Current Career Staff

ProposedProposed Career Staffing Plan

Station AssignmentsBy assigning a third firefighter to 1-1, we’re effectively stationing them at the busiest location.

By assigning the LT to 1-1, we’re providing a supervisor for the larger crew, take into account the addition of FEST FF’s as well.

By assigning the Captain to 1-6, we’re centralizing the Shift Supervisor in the district.

System Dynamics• All career personnel assigned to 24 hour shifts.• 1 Firefighter is assigned as floater• In order to staff Station 1-3, two firefighters must work a 48 hour day shift

assignment. Combination of 4-10’s and 1-8 hour shift, to stay consistent with 24 shift schedule and maintaining “like” hours for trades and FLSA laws.

• The current temporary firefighter is assigned to a 48 hour day shift, with the career firefighter on their day shift rotation assignment.

• Instead of assigning one firefighter this assignment, all non-officer ranked firefighters would share the responsibility of rotating to the day shift schedule at 1 week increments.

• This equates to approximately three to four weeks out of the year that firefighters would have to work a day shift assignment.

• Day shift assignment could be pre-scheduled and allow for trades so that less senior firefighters aren’t stuck on day shift for multiple weeks in a row, or with less desirable times (day shift 4 weeks in a row during summer).

• Firefighter assigned as a floater would rotate to the vacancy created by the firefighter assigned to day shift for that week.

Staffing Solutions – Problem #1

Staffing Solutions – Problem #1Our most anticipated problem will be filling vacancies for Kelly Shifts.

In this instance, the third firefighter (#B) is moved from Station 1-1 to fill the vacancy.

The 3rd assigned firefighter assigned to Station 1-1 should be the least senior of the shift to accommodate the movement.

To alleviate the Station 1-3 crew not having a Kelly Shift, as a rule the assigned day shifter will not be able to schedule their week the same week as a Kelly day.

Staffing Solutions – Problem #2

Staffing Solutions – Problem #2Another problem posed is having two vacancies with a Kelly shift and vacation.

In this instance, the Station 1-1 firefighter slot is left open and we still maintain our minimum staffing of 2 firefighters.

To accommodate the vacancy at Station 1-2, an option is to move the BC of Training to Station 1-2 to cover the slot. For the back half of coverage, an evaluation can be made for whether we have staffing available from volunteers, residents, or FEST FF’s to handle the minimum staffing.

Staffing Solutions – Problem #3

Staffing Solutions – Problem #3Another potential problem is having problem #1 and #2 occur then someone ends up calling in sick.

In this scenario, without including FEST FF’s our residents, or volunteers, we have to make a decision to either shut down a station or to hire in OT.

Due to the fact that sick days are infrequent, and generally budgeted for with relationship to OT, this may be an acceptable OT occurrence.

Potential Staffing SolutionsSo far, we’ve only discussed firefighters that are assigned to shift work. Another component that we shouldn’t forget is the inclusion of Chief Officers and the FEST Firefighters.

As an option, we have the potential to offset problems with relation to the 2-in 1-out scenario for an imminent rescue at a fire scene, by utilizing Chief Officers as the third firefighter in a particular zone.

The other option is when we have FEST Students as part of our plan, that we move “Firefighter B” to Station 1-6 to accommodate the 3 person staffing.

Potential Staffing SolutionsThe other option is when we have FEST Students as part of our plan, that we move “Firefighter B” to Station 1-6 to accommodate the 3 person staffing.

Potential Staffing SolutionsNight-time/Weekends Staffing

The second part of our staffing solution revolves around our Resident Program and our Volunteer Corps.

When the day staff is gone for the day, we potentially have the same set of problems without the Chief Officers or day shift firefighters to assist with staffing problems.

We however, have now maintained 24 hour staffing for three stations now instead of two. Without the utilization of our Residents or Volunteers.

If we take a look at including our resident program FF’s, which currently reside at Station1-6, we now have the following scenario.

Staffing Rules

• Can only allow two vacancies per shift. If there is a firefighter on Kelly Shift, then only one more spot is available for a firefighter to take the day off. This applies to Comp time or to vacation.

• This would not affect any day shift chief officer staffing.• Replacement of vacancies utilizing personnel on duty

should first utilize the least senior firefighter on shift, who is placed at Station 1-1.

• If the officer rank is vacant needing replacement then the most senior firefighter (or those on acting list) fills the vacancy.

Algorithm For Filling Vacancies• In order to fill vacancies and minimize overtime, the following algorithm

should be used:

ProposedProposed Day Shift Pick List

FerrisFloating Staff