Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Staffing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cottage Grove public-safety update: promotions, SAFER and AFG grants, and new fire tender
Summary
City staff described promotions and reassignments in the police department, a SAFER grant to hire seven firefighter-paramedics, an AFG award to replace SCBAs past service life, and a new 2,000-gallon fire tender placed into service.
City public-safety leaders briefed commissioners on personnel changes, grant-funded hires and equipment replacements July 20.
Brad (S6) outlined a reorganization in the police department after longtime Public Safety Director Pete Kerner stepped down. Brad said he is interim director and expects a permanent appointment soon; he said Captains Justin Hensler and Pat Nickel will be sworn in Sept. 2 and the department will realign duties so one captain oversees patrol, another investigations and a third handles professional standards and administrative functions.
Deputy Fire Chief Peter Fisher (S9) told the commission the department's most recent quarter shows a roughly 2.5% increase in calls and higher call concurrency, with multiple simultaneous calls about six times per day. He said the department requested mutual aid about "150 times" in the past quarter. Fisher said the council-directed SAFER grant will allow the city to hire seven full-time firefighter-paramedics to staff ambulances and an engine company around the clock; an AFG award will fund replacement self-contained breathing apparatus that are two years past their useful life. The department has also placed a new tender into service to carry 2,000 gallons for areas without hydrants.
Commissioners asked how frequently mutual aid is requested; Fisher confirmed roughly 150 mutual-aid requests in the last quarter and noted the department receives more mutual aid than it gives. No hiring timeline beyond grant intent was specified in the meeting transcript; Fisher and staff said more details will appear as promotions and swearing-in dates approach.
