Richmond Board approves firefighter hires, boat change order and property sale; tables animal-shelter and easement items

The Richmond City Board of Public Works and Safety on Aug. 28 approved multiple personnel and procurement actions, including hiring contracts for three probationary firefighters and a small change order for an inflatable rescue boat, and approved a resolution to buy three Wayne County lots for transfer to nonprofit Intend Indiana LLC. The board voted to table renewal of the city's contract with the Henry County Humane Society and to table a proposed temporary construction easement for work near the gorge.

Board action determined the immediate course on staffing and small capital changes while pausing two items that prompted follow-up requests for more information.

Most immediately, the board approved a list of new fire-hire candidates and individual employment agreements that require each probationary firefighter to obtain paramedic certification within five years. Chief of EMS Nick Arbogast told the board that the agreements state that "the probationary firefighter of the Richmond Fire Department acknowledges and agrees to obtain a paramedic certification within 5 years of the date of hire. The city of Richmond Fire Department will provide all necessary costs associated with the education required to achieve the certification." The contracts also include a repayment provision that requires the employee to reimburse the city on a schedule in the event the employee leaves before obtaining certification.

A representative of the law department added language into the standard agreement giving the fire chief final authority…