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Motion to Receive the Fire Department Organizational Assessment Conducted by Baker Tilly
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Introduction
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During the Fiscal Year 2025 budget discussions last fall, the Village Board considered adding three (3) additional firefighter/paramedics as a potential means to reduce overtime, and with the goal of placing a fourth ambulance into service in the Village. At that time, the Village Manager recommended an external assessment of the Fire Department to assess the operations and identify the department’s needs.
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Recommended Action
Receive the Report.
Prior Board Action
The Board has taken the following prior action(s):
• During the FY25 budget discussions, the Village Manager recommended a fire department assessment of fire operations, including a financial analysis, before considering additional staffing and resources for a 4th ambulance in service
• In FY24, the Village contractually increased the opportunity & funding for on-duty training
• In FY23, the Village raised the required minimum number of firefighters on duty to guarantee a 3rd ambulance to alleviate workload
• In FY23, the Village added three (3) firefighters for the purpose of reducing overtime and guaranteeing a 3rd ambulance in service in the community
• In FY18, the Village added three (3) firefighters for the purpose of reducing overtime
• Various improvements to the Fire Department’s facilities, vehicles, and equipment are regularly funded through the annual Capital Improvement Program
Background
Last year, the Village Manager recommended an organizational assessment of the Fire Department and its operations to provide a professional basis for decision-making related to the Fire Department’s needs, including requests for additional staffing within the department. In recent years, the Fire Department’s staffing has increased, including the addition of three (3) additional firefighter/paramedics in 2018 to address overtime, and three (3) additional firefighter/paramedics added in 2023, which, in conjunction with raising minimum staffing levels, guaranteed a third ambulance in service in the Village. In 2024, when the Village Board discussed adding an additional three (3) firefighters/paramedics to reduce overtime further, the Village Manager recommended that a neutral third party conduct an assessment of the Fire Department to review operations and identify needs. This assessment would occur in conjunction with the Village’s work to create a long-term financial plan. Baker Tilly was selected as the firm, and they completed their organizational assessment of the fire department. This is a motion to receive the report.
Timing Considerations
There are no immediate timing considerations in this report outside of the normal budget process.
Budget Impact
The Village Manager’s recommended FY 26 budget includes the addition of one (1) training officer as described and recommended in the Baker Tilly report.
Staffing Impact
The report contains various recommendations for future consideration of the Village. The cost of the recommendations was not considered as part of the recommendations and would be for the Village to determine what aligns with the long-term financial plan.
DEI Impact
The Baker Tilly report did make a recommendation to formalize a diversity recruitment strategy for the Fire Department.
Community Input
The Baker Tilly report included the opportunity for input from all employees in the Fire Department including the union leadership.
Staff Recommendation
This agenda item formally receives the report from Baker Tilly. The annual budget process authorizes funding for operational changes including staffing.
Alternatives
The Baker Tilly report provides various recommendations or alternatives to the current operations of the fire department.
Anticipated Future Actions
The report outlines various considerations for the Village to consider in the future.
Prepared By: Lisa Shelley, Deputy Village Manager
Reviewed By: Jack Malec, Assistant to the Village Manager
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Baker Tilly Fire Department Organizational Assessment
2. Presentation Overview