UNIVERSITY CITY FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT (UCFR)

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1 1 OVERVIEW OF THE UNIVERSITY CITY FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT (UCFR) University City Fire & Rescue Department Telephone: (514) Rescue Drive University, IA City Demographics: The city has 210,000 residents. Population estimates base 210,00 Population, percent change over past two years 1.8 Persons under 5 years, percent 7.1 Persons under 18 years, percent 24.0 % Persons 65 years and over, percent 20.4 Female persons, percent 55.2 White persons, percent 60 Black persons, percent 12 American Indian and Alaska Native persons, percent 1.0 Asian persons, percent 10.0 Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, percent, 1.0 Persons reporting two or more races, percent, 4.0 Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent, 12 Living in same house 1 year & over, percent, 80.4 Language other than English spoken at home, percent age 16.6 High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 89.0 Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age Veterans 22,99 Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age Housing units 98,00 Homeownership rate Housing units in multi-unit structures, percent, % 38.2 Median value of owner-occupied housing units $228,50 % Households 0 94,06 Persons per household Per capita money income in the past 12 months $25,82 1 Median household income 1 $50,38 Persons below poverty level, percent %

2 2 The City of University City has 18 fire stations staffed with 258 personnel. The department s jurisdiction is square miles. The city has 210,000 residents. Generally, fire suppression personnel work 24 hour shifts. There are 3 shifts. Administration, Fire Prevention and Training personnel generally work 8-5, Monday Friday. A local union chapter exists within the department. Through an agreement, the chapter became recognized by the department three months ago. Administration o Fire Chief, o Assistant Chief of Administration o Assistant Chief of Operations o Confidential Administrative Assistants (Fire Chief Administrative Assistant) o Administrative Assistant (one for both Assistant Chiefs) Fire Prevention Bureau o Fire Prevention Chief [equivalent to Battalion Chief rank] Administrative Assistant Senior Fire Investigator Fire Investigator-II Fire Investigator -I Senior Fire Safety Educator Fire Safety Educator II Fire Safety Educator I Senior Fire Inspector Fire Inspector-II Fire Inspector-I Fire Inspector-I NOTE: All fire safety education personnel are civilians. Training Bureau o Chief of Training [equivalent to Battalion Chief rank] Administrative Assistant Senior Training Officer - [equivalent to District Chief rank] Training Officer II [equivalent to Captain rank] Training Officer II [equivalent to Captain rank] Training Officer [equivalent to Lieutenant rank] Training Officer [equivalent to Lieutenant rank] Training Officer [equivalent to Lieutenant rank] NOTE: All training personnel serve as Incident Safety Officer when needed.

3 Fire Apparatus, vehicle, and Equipment Maintenance o Maintenance Supervisor/Master Mechanic Administrative Assistant Maintenance Technician-II Maintenance Technician Maintenance Technician Fire Suppression, Rescue & Emergency Medical Services o Battalion Chief (one for each of the 3 shifts) District Chief (3 per shift) Each of the 18 fire stations has the following positions for each shift Captain Lieutenant Driver/Operator Firefighter I Stations 1, 4, 7, 10, and 14 have an ambulance, rescue truck, and the following additional personnel for each shift: o Rescue Specialist II [equivalent to Captain rank] o Rescue Specialist I [equivalent to Lieutenant rank] NOTE: Rescue Specialists provide Advanced Life Support (non-transport), water rescue, auto extrication, rope rescue, and confined space rescue Station 1 has a fully-equipped hazardous material apparatus. Each Suppression Lieutenant performs as a Haz-Mat Technician if needed The department organized as a career fire department in The department s Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating is Class 3. 3

4 4 BASE SALARIES Fire Chief $102,000 Assistant Chief Administration $90,000 Assistant Chief Operations $90,000 Confidential Administrative Assistant $31,000 Administrative Assistant $28,000 Fire Prevention Chief $75,000 Senior Fire Investigator $57,000 Fire Investigator-II $53,000 Fire Investigator-I $50,000 Senior Fire Safety Educator $40,000 Fire Safety Educator II $36,000 Fire Safety Educator - I $32,000 Senior Fire Inspector $57,000 Fire Inspector II $53,000 Fire Inspector I $50,000 Chief of Training $75,000 Senior Training Officer $70,000 Training Officer II $62,000 Training Officer I $52,000 Maintenance Supervisor/Master Mechanic $55,000 Maintenance Technician-II $40,000 Maintenance Technician $33,000 Battalion Chief Fire Suppression $75,000 District Chief Fire Suppression $70,000 Captain Fire Suppression $62,000 Lieutenant Fire Suppression $52,000 Driver/Operator $46,000 Fire Fighter-I $39,000 Rescue Specialist II $66,000 Rescue Specialist I $56,000

5 5 Fire Department's Diversity Statement Definition - As understood in the workplace today, diversity implies differences in people based on their identifications with various groups. Diversity involves the process of acknowledging differences through action and going beyond one's comfort zone to be inclusive of all. In organizations, this means developing a variety of initiatives at both the management and organizational levels and at the interpersonal levels. Vision - The continued excellence of the University City Fire and Rescue Department is largely dependent upon the ability to attract, develop, and retain highly skilled, talented, and motivated members. An essential element in maintaining this quality of service is the recognition of the value of a diverse work force. Characteristics such as: age, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, religious preference, sexual orientation, and the expression of unique philosophies and ideas provide the opportunity to better understand each other. This understanding strengthens the efficiency and productivity of the University City Fire and Rescue Department, whose primary objective is to provide excellent service to a diverse community. Mission- The mission of the University City Fire and Rescue department is to respond to fires, medical emergencies, disasters, and other calls for service, the University City Fire and Rescue Department protects the lives and property of its customers (residents and visitor). Goals - The goals of the University City Fire and Rescue Department with regard to diversity are: Uphold all federal, state, and local laws, and the University City Fire and Rescue Department's rules and regulations regarding employment. Attract and retain qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds who are committed to the continued excellence of the University City Fire and Rescue Department. Achieve and accept a diverse work force in terms of age, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, religious preference, sexual orientation, and the expression of unique philosophies and ideas. Provide all employees the opportunity for development and growth at every rank in the University City Fire and Rescue Department. Expect that all employees will treat each other with dignity and respect, regardless of perceived differences.

6 6 Fire Department's Budgeting and Financial Issues The department s fiscal year began on September 1 and ends on August 31 of each year. The department receives funds from federal grants. These grants are managed three federal fiscal year that began on October 1 and ends on September 30 of each year. Purchasing Items costing 0 - $200 must have a verbal quote from at least two vendors/manufacturers. Items costing $201 - $3,000 must have a written quote from at least two vendors/manufacturers. Items costing more than $3,000 must be purchased through the bidding system. The purpose of the bidding system is to help ensure the department has the opportunity to purchase the most cost effective product/service. The bidding system also helps ensure each vendor/manufacturer is given a fair opportunity to market his product/service to the department. UCFR Benefit Package The city provides 100% medical, dental and vision insurance to all employees, plus a $25,000 accident death benefit. The complete insurance (medical, vision and dental) package for each employee costs $11,950 yearly, with the 15% co-pay withdrawn from employee s bi-weekly check for employees with families and dependents. The city pays 85% of the medical insurance for an employee s family or dependents, which for this year a family or employee and child plan is $21,967, calculated at the same price. While the city provides a great benefit with the insurance package, 183 employees receive family and or dependent coverage as part of their employment package, the rest are just single employee coverage plans. The city also has 3% of the employees wages paid into FICA, an additional 4% is paid to Medicare. The life insurance plan costs the city $14.75 each quarter for each employee. While workers compensation is calculated at 25% of the overall salaries and benefits line item. Unemployment is paid into the state system at 1.25% per employee s annual pay. The city charter requires that the department fund overtime at 30% of the overall salaries of the grades of employees. The city provides its own retirement system for all of its employees. The

7 7 contract negotiated city provided contribution rate for sworn fire service personnel is 12% of the employees overall salary. While civilian employees of the department receive the same as other non-hazardous employees 8% rate of their overall salary. Each sworn employee and civilian public education specialist is provided $1,000 per year for clothing allowance, and civilian administrative employees is provided $250 per year. The department pays $550 per position for a comprehensive medical physical, with the exception of the administrative assistants. UCFR Run Data Last year the department ran 27,982 responses. Fires equated to 415 of the responses, 189 fires in structures (78% residential, 2% healthcare, 5% transient housing/lodging, 15% commercial), 81 in vehicles and 81 cooking fires (55 contained to container). Rubbish and dumpster fires comprised 74 responses while 37 calls were for unauthorized burning. The UCFR responded to 87 special incidents (36 water/ice rescues). There were four severe weather/natural disaster incidents, 2,749 false alarms were transmitted. People called 2,471 times for good intent calls, while 1,345 calls were for service or assistance. Hazardous conditions with no fire resulted in 498 responses, however, 52 responses were needed of an over pressure, rupture or release of a hazardous material. The department responded to 20,361 ems and rescue related calls (including traffic accidents). There were 16 fire fatalities in 11 fires, with 42 injuries to civilians in 28 fires. Of the fatal fires, the first fire resulted in the deaths of two children and one adults, with three other children injured. The second fatal fire resulted in the death of one individual with no other injuries reports. The third fire resulted in the death of one elderly man, with no other injuries. The fourth fire resulted in the death of two people of varying ages with injuries to six others. The fifth fatal fire resulted in the death of an elderly woman with injuries to two neighbors in the rescue attempt. The sixth fire resulted in the death of a young child, the sibling confessed to playing with matches. The seventh fire was a result of food left on the stove at 1:00 am in the morning, an occupant in the adjacent apartment was discovered during overhaul, still in her bed. The eighth fire resulted in the death of an elderly woman, cause improper heating in a cold snap. The ninth fire resulted in the death of an adult female, cause appears to be improperly discarded smoking materials, and there were 10 injuries to other occupants of the apartment building during the late night fire. The tenth fire resulted in the death of three children, as a result of the older sibling playing with matches. The last fatal fire was the result of unattended cooking by an intoxicated male, who perished during the fire.

8 8 There were 4 firefighters who suffered minor injuries on three different fires, and no firefighter deaths were reported. Fire prevention and code enforcement conducted 23,617 inspections last year. The staff conducted 2110 re-inspections of violations, while 389 inspections resulted in code enforcement actions. As the community is continuing to grow, 1115 inspections were conducted on new construction projects. The public education branch logged individual contact with 4,470 men, women and children during their open house, block party and other dedicated prevention program presentations. This past year was the inaugural year that all University City public schools participated in FIRE PREVENTION MONTH during October, prevention and education personnel reached 5,704 children and teachers during that month. Fire prevention programs in the city are designed to be all inclusive during community and neighborhood events. Each station has fire prevention materials on hand and are encouraged to perform station tours and engage in fire prevention activities in their first due areas.