With an August start date fast approaching, the city is taking steps to ensure the Johns Creek Fire Department is geared up with equipment and fiscally on target.
Recruiting will begin at the end of month to hire a total of 79 firefighters and personnel. Fire Chief Joseph Daniels was named earlier this year.
"There has been a lot of interest so far [in fire department recruitment]," said City Manager John Kachmar.
City Council discussed salary options for the fire department at its May 19 meeting. A fire battalion chief will be paid a minimum of $68,000 per year and a Class One firefighter will be paid a minimum of $32,400 per year, respectively. Other positions will be paid between $37,500 per year and $72,000. The fire chief will be paid a minimum of $105,000 per year.
"We're in a comfortable, competitive range with other county and city fire departments," said Kachmar. "We'll be able to attract very good, quality candidates."
He added that phones have been "ringing off the hook" with inquiries about the fire department recruitment.
City Council also discussed purchasing two rescue transport vehicles for more than $223,000 and dozens of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus [SCBA] for more than $253,000. The SCBA includes 48 Scott Air Pak 75, 85 face pieces, 123 cylinders and individual fit testing.
The two rescue vehicles will be available at the end of the month. City officials will travel to Wisconsin in the coming weeks to inspect purchased vehicles.
Kachmar said when the city budgeted for the fire department last year, it was a "lump sum" because it was work in progress.
The city is within budget for the fire department salary and will have enough funds for the fiscal year 2008-2009, according to Kachmar.
Kachmar estimated that the city is currently around $43,000 under budget for the fire department. He said the numbers are close to the budget because some items were more expensive than earlier estimated and others were less expensive.
"We have the money necessary to start a very good fire department, which will have expanded coverage than what we have now," said Kachmar.
Daniels said there is a maximum of 16 personnel on staff with the Fulton County Fire Department. With the Johns Creek Police Department, the maximum will be 24 on staff at any given time.
"If we raise staffing numbers we won't have to send the entire staff out [to respond to a fire]," said Daniels.
Mayor Mike Bodker said while the numbers may be close to the budget, it's the fact that the city still comes under budget that is important.
"We're going to end up with a world class fire department," said Bodker.
Labels: city manager john kachmar, johns creek fire department
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 5:43 PM
