Civil Service Commission

CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING 15 VANDERBILT AVE – TEMPORARY LOCATION OF CITY HALL FRIDAY MARCH 15TH 2019 AGENDA PRESENT: MARK CACOZZA, CHAIRPERSON PAUL KISSELBRACK, COMMISSIONER ABSENT: ELIO DELSETTE, COMMISSIONER CHAIRPERSON CACOZZA CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 1:35pm and opened the public comment section. There being no one wishing to speak, Chair Cacozza closed the public comment section at 1:36pm PUBLIC SAFETY Fire Chief Dolan appeared before the Commission to discuss the proposed revisions to the Fire Captain job specification. The item had been on the regular agenda in February and was tabled, as the Commission had some concerns about the language, and the possibility of an entry level Firefighter skipping ranks. Chief Dolan was very cooperative and after the conversation, shared the same concerns. The Chief met with the Coordinator to discuss the job specification. The job specification with the previous proposed revisions in February read as: A FIRE LIEUTENANT with the Saratoga Springs Fire Department who has successfully completed probation, Supervisory Level 1 of 19 CRR-NY 426.9 and Part 437 Training of First-Line Supervisors at the New York City Fire Academy OR SIX (6) years as a continuous permanent firefighter with the City of Saratoga Springs. Preference WILL be given to Lieutenants. Special Requirement(s): Current NYS Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Paramedic (AEMT-P) certification. Must possess a valid NYS Driver’s License. Must meet the qualifications to wear a tight fitting respirator by passing a medical evaluation in accordance with CFR 1910.134 and must maintain certification. Substance Abuse Testing: Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of this classification, individuals shall be subject to alcohol, drug, and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Saratoga Springs and IAFF Local 343 Firefighter Union. SPECIAL NOTE: Must possess a valid NYS drivers’ license, must maintain said license for the duration of employment and must meet the City of Saratoga Springs’ Fleet Safety Policy. For the City of Saratoga Springs, a valid license is defined as a license which is not conditional, temporary, restricted or suspended. ** Employees hired prior to April 1st, 2003 who currently posess a NYS Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Critical Care Technician (AEMT – CCT) Certification meet the minimum qualifications for Paramedic. After a discussion with Chief Dolan and the Commission, the final agreed revisions read as follows: A FIRE LIEUTENANT with the Saratoga Springs Fire Department who has successfully completed probation OR SIX (6) years as a continuous permanent firefighter with the City of Saratoga Springs at time of application. *To be appointed from the established eligible list, you must be a qualified non probationary Fire Lieutenant. Special Requirement(s): Current NYS Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Paramedic (AEMT-P) certification. Must possess a valid NYS Driver’s License. Must meet the qualifications to wear a tight fitting respirator by passing a medical evaluation in accordance with CFR 1910.134 and must maintain certification. Substance Abuse Testing: Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of this classification, individuals shall be subject to alcohol, drug, and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Saratoga Springs and IAFF Local 343 Firefighter Union. Page 1 of 2 SPECIAL NOTE: Must possess a valid NYS drivers’ license, must maintain said license for the duration of employment and must meet the City of Saratoga Springs’ Fleet Safety Policy. For the City of Saratoga Springs, a valid license is defined as a license which is not conditional, temporary, restricted or suspended. ** Employees hired prior to April 1st, 2003 who currently posess a NYS Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Critical Care Technician (AEMT – CCT) Certification meet the minimum qualifications for Paramedic. No duties or work activities were revised. The reason for the request in revising the minimum qualifications was for a larger pool of candidates, as the lists are on a two year schedule, this would open it up. A firefighter with the appropriate qualifications can sit for the written exam, but will not be up for appointment until they are a non probationary Fire Lieutenant, so no ranks will be skipped. Chairperson Cacozza made a motion to approve the proposed revisions. Seconded by Commissioner Kisselbrack. Motion carries. Commissioner Kisselbrack made a motion to close the meeting. Seconded by Chairperson Cacozza. Motion carried SPECIAL NOTE: The Minutes of this Special Meeting were never approved, and could never be approved by a majority of the Civil Service Commission since Commissioner DelSette was absent and could not vote to approve and Commissioner Kisselbrack resigned from the Commission on April 14th 2019 before a vote to approve the Minutes could be taken. Regular Meeting April 25th 2019 Prepared by: Corissa Salvo, Civil Service Coordinator Page 2 of 2