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Council hears presentations on firefighter wellness contracts and an ATF reimbursement renewal
Summary
Councilors reviewed two wellness-related agreements for the fire department — a local contract with Krause Help for employee assistance and critical‑incident support and an extension with a fire physician — and approved a five‑year renewal to continue overtime reimbursement arrangements with ATF for two task force officers.
City officials told the council that two items before them are part of an essential, three‑pronged behavioral health program for firefighters: an employee assistance/critical incident contract with Krause Help and an existing contract-extension with a fire physician to provide workplace physicals and respirator exams.
A city presenter described the contracts as mandatory for firefighter wellness and operational readiness and said Krause Help has worked with the city in the past. The presenter said Krause will provide confidential counseling, critical incident stress support, supervisory consultation and debriefing services and will be integrated into the department’s EAP, critical‑incident and peer support offerings.
Councilors asked for utilization data that excludes HIPAA‑sensitive information but would allow them to assess program use by firefighters. The presenter agreed to provide the most recent usage figures available for Krause and to try to break data out specifically for firefighters where possible.
Deputy Chief Rich Bridal described item 21 as a five‑year renewal of the agreement with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) to reimburse overtime incurred by two task‑force officers co‑designated with ATF; staff said reimbursements have been received in a timely fashion.
Next steps: Staff will provide usage data for firefighter wellness services to councilors and finalize contract paperwork for the fire physician and ATF reimbursement renewal.
