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Medina Fire Department says 24-hour staffing trial cut response times; seeks hires and new turnout gear
Summary
Fire Chief Walters reported the department's 24-hour staffing trial has reduced response times, cited two recent midnight structure fires including the West Liberty fire with a civilian casualty, and briefed council on hiring needs, turnout-gear replacement costs and planned cancer-screening follow-up.
Chief Walters, chief of the Medina Fire Department, updated the council on the department's 24-hour staffing trial and associated personnel and equipment needs.
Walters said the city began a 24-hour staffing trial in February and has modified scheduling to support overnight coverage without additional software costs. "So far, it's been very successful," Walters said, adding the new scheduling approach lets firefighters choose shifts and has freed approximately three full workdays for Assistant Chief Mark Hormley, who also serves as the city's full-time fire marshal.
Walters reported two major structure fires during midnight-to-8 a.m. shifts since the trial began, including a recent West Liberty fire that produced one civilian casualty and two near misses among first responders. He said the department's response time for the West Liberty incident was eight minutes, versus a prior typical range of 16 to 20 minutes before the 24-hour model. "That specific fire...prior to the 24 hour staffing model, that number would have been somewhere between 16 and 20 minutes," Walters said.
To sustain the staffing model through the summer, Walters said the department plans to hire two to four additional firefighters (five at most) and recently tested applicants: 27 applicants were tested, 21 passed and those candidates will move to panel interviews. He cautioned that using part-time firefighters creates scheduling tradeoffs during summer vacation months and that hiring numbers remain a practical estimate.
Walters also said the department needs new turnout (protective) gear for new hires and to replace aging sets for existing firefighters. He estimated the cost per set at $4,000 to $5,000 and described an evaluation committee now preparing wear trials and specifications to present to finance and council.
Finally, Walters said the department plans to repeat a cancer-screening program this fall, funded from remaining Park Foundation money used in the prior year; the participation rate from the prior screening was described as a "big success," but the percentage participation number was not specified in the record.
Ending: The council thanked the chief and noted the early results of the 24-hour staffing trial; Walters said staffing, gear and screening plans will return as budget and procurement items for council consideration.
