Civil Service Commission

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING 5:00 p.m., October 23, 2012, 2012 City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room Commissioners: City/Department Representatives: Toni Bachman, Chairman, Present Chaplain Northcut, City Council Liaison, Present Bert Fleck, Present Trey Smith, City Attorney, Present Garrie Kellam, Present Jeff Humphrey, Police Chief, Present Jim Campbell, Present John Cochran, Fire Chief, Present Phillip Lea, Present Tracey Cline-Pew, Human Resources, Present Meeting Minutes Chairman Toni Bachman called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. The Commission reviewed the minutes of the September meeting. Bert Fleck made a motion that the minutes be approved. Jim Campbell seconded the motion. The minutes were approved. OLD BUSINESS Civil Service Commission • None. Police • None. Fire Department • Chief Cochran presented a formal proposal for awarding extra credit points during Promotional Testing to candidates that maintained a Tier One or Tier Two physical rating based on NFPA standards. Five extra credit points would be awarded for Tier One, and Two and one-half points awarded for Tier Two. Chief Cochran passed out a 2013 Rating Form containing the proposed change. Chief Cochran pointed out that heart disease is the number one killer of firefighters nationwide. The proposed change would be an added incentive for the rank and file to maintain their physical fitness levels and possibly prevent a catastrophic health event. Bert Fleck asked when the Tier Assessment would be performed during the Promotional Testing. Chief Cochran stated that it would be done within 30 days of the actual testing date. Bert Fleck suggested that it take place during the month of the promotional testing. The question was also asked whether or not the Civil Service Rules and Regulations needed to be changed to accommodate the extra credit points for Tier Testing. Chief Cochran explained that it was currently addressed in a broad sense in the Rules and Regulations, and then specifically noted in the Rating Form. This eliminated the need for actually altering the Civil Service Rules and Regulations document. He also stated that Tier Testing was regulated by NFPA 1582 standards which have already been adopted by the Russellville Civil Service Commission. Currently there is no requirement for a firefighter to maintain his/her physical  fitness level after they are hired. Additional Tier Testing is an incentive to maintain those standards throughout their career. Bert Fleck made a motion that the Commission award extra credit to candidates that maintain a Tier One or Two physical fitness level per NFPA 1582 standards during Promotion Testing. Garrie Kellam seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. NEW BUSINESS Fire Department • Bert Fleck announced that after conducting entry-level firefighter testing, Russellville had a list with four extremely well-qualified candidates. He stated that candidates were asked about their testing experience and most commented that it was fair and consistent. The actual testing process was streamlined by performing preliminary Tier Testing and background checks that eliminated applicants that did not meet the minimum requirements. Chief Cochran reminded the Commission that there was one person on the existing Certified List that had to be blended with the new list based on his score. The person on the existing list would be removed when the list expired on January 1, 2013. Police Department • Chief Humphrey discussed the position of Assistant Chief. He stated that during the recent promotional testing, no one tested for Major. Chief Humphrey asked what his options were, and whether or not he could eliminate the position of Assistant Chief and instead opt to have three Captains. The Commissioner’s stated that they would support whatever the Chief decided to do. Chief Humphrey wanted to discuss this further with other Chiefs so that he could make the best decision for the Police Department. He added that the department was operating very effectively without an Assistant Chief so making an immediate decision was not necessary. • Chief Humphrey reported that he received a letter from the Prosecuting Attorney clearing the Russellville Police Officer involved in a recent shooting. Civil Service Commission • None. Jim Campbell made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Bert Fleck seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.