S.A.F.E.R. Board of Directors

SOUTH AREA FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE DISTRICT Official Meeting Notice and Agenda Meeting: BOARD OF DIRECTORS Members: Opall{c}; Ermeling; White; Kachel; Langenhahn Location: Rib Mountain Town Hall; 3700 North Mountain Rd, Wausau Date/Time: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 @ 6:00 p.m. A. Call to Order. 1. Meeting called to order by Chairman Opall at 6:00 p.m. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Clerk will take attendance and/or roll call. 4. Request for silencing of cellphones and other electronic devices. 5. Acknowledgment of visitors if any. B. Correspondence/Comments from the public on issues related to the SAFER district. C. Presentations. D. Consent Items. 1. Approval of minutes from SAFER Board of Directors meeting of 10/27/15. E. Business Items 1. Discussion and possible action on the proposed changes to the SAFER Charter. F. Staff Reports 1. Report from Fire Chief. 2. Report from Administrators. G. Remarks from the Board of Directors to set the next meeting date, as well as discuss items for the next meeting agenda. (No motions will be made, and no action will be taken related to policy affecting S.A.F.E.R. as a result of this agenda item): Tuesday, December 8, 2015 H. Adjourn This notice was posted at the Rib Mountain and Weston Municipal Centers, and on the Village of Weston’s website at www.westonwi.gov, and was emailed to local media outlets (Print, TV, and Radio) on 11/6/2015 @ 2:00 p.m. A quorum of members from other SAFER District, Town of Rib Mountain, and Village of Weston governmental bodies (boards, commissions, and committees) may attend the above noticed meeting in order to gather information. No actions will be taken by any other board, commission, or committee of SAFER / Town / Village, aside from the SAFER Board of Directors. Should a quorum of other government bodies be present, this would constitute a meeting pursuant to State ex rel. Badke v. Greendale Village Bd., 173 Wis.2d 553,494 N.W.2d 408 (1993). Wisconsin State Statutes require all agendas for public meetings be posted in final form, 24 hours prior to the meeting. Any posted agenda is subject to change up until 24 hours prior to the date and time of the meeting. Any person who has a qualifying disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that meeting or material to be in accessible location or format must contact the Rib Mountain Municipal Center at 715-842-0983, by 2pm the Friday prior to the meeting so any necessary arrangements can be made to accommodate each request.  OFFICIAL MEETING MINUTES SOUTH AREA FIRE & EMERGENCY RESPONSE DISTRICT Board of Directors Regular Meeting Tuesday, October 27, 2015 @ 6:00 P.M. A. Call to Order The regular meeting of the South Area Fire and Emergency Response District Board of Directors was called to order at 6:00 PM by SAFER Board Chairman Allen Opall. MEMBERS PRESENT – Opall, White, Langenhahn. Kachel and Ermeling were absent and excused. Chief Savage, DC Finke and John Jacobs were also present. There were three audience members. B. Correspondence/Comments from the public on issues related to the SAFER District There was no public comment or correspondence. C. Presentations None D. Consent Items 1. Approval of minutes from SAFER Board of Directors meeting of 10/14/15. White/Langenhahn to approve minutes from SAFER Board of Directors meeting of 10/14/15. Motion carries unanimously. E. Closed Session 1. Convene into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(e) for the purpose of deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, for competitive or bargaining reasons related to the addition of a neighboring municipality to the District. White/Langenhahn to convene into closed session at 6:03 p.m. Roll call vote – all were in favor. Motion carries unanimously. 2. Reconvene into open session. Langenhahn/White to reconvene into open session at 6:38 p.m. Roll call vote – all were in favor. Motion carries unanimously. Take action on closed session item if necessary. No action was taken in closed session. F. Business Items 1. FLSA – 106 hour work week Chief Savage presented a resolution creating a 14-day, 106-hour pay period. Only hours worked in excess of 106 hours will be paid at the overtime rate. White/Langenhahn to approve Resolution 01-15 as presented by administrative staff of the SAFER District. Motion carries unanimously. Langenhahn/White to approve amending the Employee Manual to include Resolution 01-15. Motion carries unanimously.  2. Apparatus Replacement Schedule Chief Savage reviewed the apparatus replacement schedule. White/Langenhahn to establish the apparatus replacement schedule as a guideline for the SAFER District. Motion carries unanimously. 3. Fee Schedule Chief Savage stated the basis for the fee schedule is to help offset some of the more labor- intensive scenes that are hard to budget for. Langenhahn/White to approve fee schedule as presented. Motion carries unanimously. 4. Benefits for POC Staff Chief Savage stated a vision plan is available to POC staff at no employer cost. White/Langenhahn to approve the vision plan benefit to POC staff pending verification of amending the Employee Manual to reflect this benefit. Motion carries unanimously. G. Staff Reports 1. Report from Fire Chief Chief gave a brief update on call volume. DC Finke stated staff participated in several fire prevention activities 2. Report from Administrators None H. Remarks from the Board of Directors to set the next meeting date, as well as discuss items for the next meeting agenda (No motions will be made, and no action will be taken related to policy affecting SAFER as a result of this agenda item): Tuesday, November 10, 2015. White asked Jacobs if he would like to review the monthly budget status. Jacobs stated he just wanted to make sure everyone received a copy. I. Adjourn Langenhahn/White to adjourn at 6:55 p.m. Prepared by Rhonda Christiansen on October 30, 2015. Presented for consideration to the Board of Directors on November 10, 2015.  CHARTER OF SOUTH AREA FIRE & EMERGENCY REPONSE DISTRICT WHEREAS, the Village of Weston and the Town of Rib Mountain (hereinafter "the Municipalities") provide fire protection, emergency medical services and certain other approved and related emergency services within and for the geographical area within each Municipality's political jurisdiction, and beyond, as described in this Charter; and WHEREAS, the Municipalities have determined that is it in their best interest to create a fire department and ambulance service to be called the South Area Fire & Emergency Response District (hereinafter "the District-) pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 60.55, 61.65 and 66.0301; and WHEREAS, it is the common understanding of the Municipalities that creating the District will provide greater protection against fire losses within the Municipalities, a more effective and efficient firefighting and emergency medical service agency, and financial savings and benefits to the Municipalities' taxpayers; and WHEREAS, the Municipalities have agreed that the District shall be a hybrid model, combining full-time and paid-on-call professionals; WHEREAS, the Municipalities have agreed to give to the District all of their fire protection and emergency medical services related equipment, vehicles and personal property and retain any debt related to the purchasing and/or financing of the equipment, vehicles and personal property; and WHEREAS, the Municipalities shall retain ownership of their buildings; NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED by and between the Town of Rib Mountain and the Village of Weston that there is created, effective upon ratification of this Charter by both Municipalities, a new fire district to be called "the South Area Fire & Emergency Response District" to serve the Municipalities or portions thereof as set out in this Charter, upon the following terms and conditions, and for the following purposes: I. PURPOSE The purpose of the District is to provide fire protection, emergency medical service and certain other approved and related emergency services to the Municipalities and to such other areas as may be added. The initial "primary service area" shall include only those municipalities or portions of municipalities set out below: {W0610328.DOCX/1} -1  1. Village of Weston. All of the area within the present and future corporate limits of the Village of Weston. 2. Town of Rib Mountain. All of the area within the political boundaries of the Town of Rib Mountain. The service area of the District can also be expanded by contract to provide Fire/EMS response to neighboring municipal agencies. II. GOVERNANCE The District shall be governed by the South Area Fire & Emergency Response District Board of Directors (hereinafter "the Board"). 1. Board Members and Terms of Office. The Board shall consist of five (5) members. The Rib Mountain Town Board Chairperson or his/her designee and the Village of Weston President or his/her designee shall serve as members. The Village of Weston and Town of Rib Mountain shall each designate one additional member. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the municipality that appointed him/her. The designated Board members shall mutually agree upon a fifth Board member who shall be a resident of the areas served by the District. 2. Quorum. A majority of the voting members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. 3. Official Action. Except as expressly provided in this Charter, an act of a majority of the voting members of the Board present at a meeting in which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board. 4. Meetings. Meetings of the Board shall be held at least once each calendar quarter and otherwise at the call of the Chair or upon the written request of at least two (2) voting members of the Board. Notice of a meeting of the Board shall be given to the members in writing not less than 24 hours prior to the time of the meeting. 5. Voting Requirements Exception. The affirmative vote of all five (5) voting Board members shall be required for: a. The purchase or sale of any asset having a value in excess of $50,000; b. The abandonment or relocation of any fire station; and c. Any amendments to this Charter. 6. Officers. The Board shall elect a Chair and a Vice Chair. These Officers shall serve until the first meeting of the Board occurring after January 1, 2015, at which meeting their successors shall be elected. Thereafter the officers shall be elected at the first meeting of the {W0610328.DOCX/1} -2 Board occurring after January 1 of each year, and officers elected shall hold office until their successors are duty elected and qualified. The Secretary/Treasurer of the Board shall be the Administrator for the municipality that is the Fiscal Agent of the District and shall be a non-voting member of the Board. 7. Compensation. No compensation shall be paid to the members of the Board for their services, but they may be reimbursed for actual necessary expenses incurred if so authorized by the Board, and if funds are contained within the approved budget. 8. Powers. Except as limited by this Charter or amendments hereto, the Board shall have all the power and duties authorized under the Wisconsin Statutes relating to the operation of the District. Such powers shall include, but not be limited to, the following: a. In case of the death, disability, resignation or discipline or termination of the Fire Chief for cause, to designate an interim Fire Chief until a new Fire Chief is accepted by the Commission. b. To negotiate, and approve or reject mutual aid agreements with other fire departments and to authorize execution of such agreements. c. To own, purchase, encumber, sell, or lease real property in the name of the Department, for the purposes of the Department, upon such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate. d. To own, hire, rent, lease, purchase, encumber and sell vehicles, equipment, services or other personal property or supplies for Department purposes, upon such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate. e. To adopt bylaws, procedures, personnel rules: and operating policies and rules. f. To contract to provide fire protection services or ambulance services or both to or for other Municipalities or portions of other Municipalities upon such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate. g. To establish rates of pay and fringe benefits for the Fire Chief and other employees and members of the Department. h. No more often than annually to establish a uniform fee for fire inspections within the Municipalities and primary service area of the Department to be paid by the property owner. In addition to the uniform fee, a mileage rate may be charged for inspections. i. To establish annually a base fee to be paid by each municipality in the District. {W0610328.DOCX/1} -3  j. To establish annually a uniform rate per call to be charged for fire services provided outside the primary service area. k. To establish a uniform rate per call to be charged to each individual for ambulance services provided within the primary service area; a uniform rate per call to be charged to each individual for ambulance services provided outside the primary service area; mileage rates to be charged for use of department vehicles; and rates to be charged for supplies expended. l. To designate a depository for Department funds. m. To secure insurance for the Department including, without limitation, fire and casualty, liability, workers’ compensation, and errors and omissions coverage. n. To sue and be sued in accord with state law. o. To designate an official newspaper for required publications by the District. p. To exercise such additional powers as are authorized by law and as are reasonably necessary to effectuate the purposes of the District and to the exercise of the authorities granted by this Charter. III. FIRE COMMISSION The Municipalities hereby create and establish a Commission (“the Commission") as provided by Wis. Stat. § 61.65. 1. Selection of Commissioners. The Commission shall have five (5) members. Two commissioners shall be selected by the Village of Weston President and two commissioners shall be selected by the Town of Rib Mountain Chairman. One commissioner appointed by Rib Mountain shall serve for five (5) years. One Weston commissioner appointment shall serve for four (4) years. One Commissioner appointment by Rib Mountain shall serve for three (3) years. One Commissioner appointment selection by Weston shall serve for two (2) years. A fifth commissioner shall be jointly selected by the Village President and Town Chairman who shall serve a one (1) year term and may be reappointed by the Commissioners for unlimited additional terms. Thereafter all terms will be for a five (5) year period. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment for any unexpired term by the appointing municipality in the same manner as original appointments are made. 2. Quorum. A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. 3. Official Action. The act of a majority of the members of the Commission present at a meeting in which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Commission. {W0610328.DOCX/1} -4  4. Meetings. Meetings of the Commission shall be held as required, but at least once during each calendar year. Meetings of the Commission shall be held upon the call of the Chair or upon the written request of at least two (2) members of the Commission. Notice of a meeting of the Commission shall be given to the members in writing not less than 24 hours prior to the time of the meeting. 5. Officers. As soon as practicable after the initial appointments, the Commission shall elect a Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary. The Secretary need not be a member of the Commission. Officers shall thereafter be elected at the first meeting of the Commission occurring after January 1 of each year. An officer so elected shall hold office until the replacements are duty elected and qualified. 6. Compensation. No compensation shall be paid to members of the Commission for their services, but they may be reimbursed for actual necessary expenses incurred if so authorized by the Board. 7. Powers. The Commission is to be subject to the provisions of Wis. Stat. § 62.13 (2) to (12), exclusive of (6), pertaining to a board of police or fire commissioners or to appointments, promotions, suspensions, removals, dismissals, reemployment, compensation, rest days, exemptions, organization and supervision of departments, contracts and audits to the extent that the provisions apply to 2nd and 3rd class cities. IV. ADMINISTRATION Day-to-day administration of the District personnel and equipment shall be conducted by the Fire Chief, subject to the approved of the Board. The District shall employ the following positions: 1. Fire Chief. The Fire Chief shall be generally responsible for the supervision, scheduling, education, organization and administration of the firefighting personnel and equipment. a. The Fire Chief shall be selected by the Commission. Qualified candidates will be subject to the interview process and a final selection will be made by a majority vote by the Commission. b. With approval of the Board, the Fire Chief shall have authority to purchase unbudgeted materials and supplies for District purposes. Larger purchases shall require prior approval of the Board. c. The Fire Chief shall have authority, subject to approval by the Commission, to designate the Deputy Fire Chief. {W0610328.DOCX/1} -5  d. The Fire Chief shall evaluate firefighting personnel, vehicles, supplies, equipment, and services available to the District and shall make recommendations for their purchase or hiring to the Board and/or Commission. e. The Fire Chief shall perform such other and additional related duties are as authorized by law and/or as accorded to him by the Board to achieve the purposes of the District. 2. Deputy Fire Chief. The Deputy Fire Chief shall act as Fire Chief during the absence of the Fire Chief, and shall perform such district duties as are assigned to him by the Fire Chief. 3. Shift Commanders. The Fire Chief shall appoint, subject to the approval of the Commission, shift commanders. Shift commanders shall be generally responsible for the supervision of personnel during their shift. 4. Paid-on-Call Professionals. The balance of personnel shall consist of paid-on-call professionals. V. BUILDINGS The Municipalities shall transfer to the District custody, use and control, but not ownership, of the buildings to be used by the District. The Municipalities shall not charge rent to the District for the first two years of the operation of the District. After the first two years of the operation of the District, the Municipalities shall rent the buildings to the District at the initial rate of $6 per square foot per year, in addition to the charges for insurance, utilities and all other operating expenses which shall be paid by the District. The rental rates shall be adjusted annually, at the rate of annual increase or decrease of the consumer price index. VI. BUDGET The Board shall submit a single budget to cover the District's income, operating expenses and capital expenditures for the following calendar year to the governing bodies of the Municipalities not later than September 1 of each year. Such budget shall contain an explanation of the Board's reasons for recommending any total annual capital expenditure. The budget must be approved by the governing boards of each Municipality. No expenditure shall be made or contracted for by the Board or any District employee with respect to any proposed item of operating expense or capital expenditure not contained in the prior year's budget without approval by the Municipalities. No item of operating expenses or capital expenditure not provided for in the budget shall be made or contracted for by any member or officer of the Board or by any district employee except as authorized by the Board. An audit shall be conducted of the Fire District each year at the direction of the Board. {W0610328.DOCX/1} -6 VII. FISCAL AGENT The Village of Weston agrees to be the District's Fiscal Agent for the first two years without charging a fee for such services. Proposals for the appointment of the District's Fiscal Agent shall be submitted by participating municipalities or third parties for years three and beyond. Proposals shall include the term and annual fee for such services. The Board shall select the Fiscal Agent taking into account the cost, as well as the specifications of the proposal. Duties of the Fiscal Agent shall include, but not be limited to: 1. Maintaining financial records; 2. Receiving and disbursing funds; 3. Providing payroll administration; 4. Administering insurance program; 5. Any other duties required to satisfy the provisions of this Charter. VIII. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES The Municipalities shall bear and pay the net operating expenses and capital expenditures of the District as established according to the following procedures and proportions. 1. Financing Formula. Each participating municipality's annual financial contribution to the District's operating, maintenance and capital budget shall be calculated based on the following formula: a. Population. Thirty-three and 33/100 percent (33.33%) of the total budget contribution shall be shared among the Municipalities in proportion to each municipality's percentage share of the total population of the Municipalities, as determined by the State of Wisconsin for the prior year. b. Equalized valuation. Thirty-three and 33/100 percent (33.33%) of the total budget contribution shall be shared among the Municipalities in proportion to each municipality's percentage share of the total equalized valuation, excluding land, of all the Municipalities, as determined by the State of Wisconsin for the prior year and as adjusted as hereafter provided. Total equalized valuation, excluding land, shall be divided into residential, commercial and industrial classifications and shall include valuation from TIF Districts. A multiplier of one for total residential valuation (including value of “other” under the equalized valuation formula), two for total commercial valuation and three for total industrial valuation shall be {W0610328.DOCX/1} -7  applied. The total of the multiplied valuations for each municipality shall be divided by the total of the multiplied valuations for all the municipalities and multiplied by 100 to determine each municipality's proportionate percentage share. c. Inspectable Structures. Thirty-three and 34/100 percent (33.34%) of the total budget contribution shall be shared among the Municipalities in proportion to each municipality's percentage of inspectable structures. 2. Municipality Payments. The Fiscal Agent will submit to each municipality a statement requiring payment of that municipality's share of the estimated net operating expenses and capital expenditures for the fiscal year which must be paid to the Fiscal Agent in quarterly payments. This notice shall be given not later than fifteen days following approval of the District's budget. Payment shall be due by the Municipalities on the 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th month of the year. If any municipality fails to pay in full each payment to be made by it as provided by this Charter on the due date, such defaulting municipality shall be indebted to the other Municipalities for the payment due plus interest at the prevailing prime rate in Wausau, Wisconsin from the due date until payment. Legal action to enforce such payment due by the defaulting municipality may be taken by the Board. IX. EXPANSION OF DISTRICT MEMBERSHIP Additional municipalities may be added to the District upon the following conditions: 1. The proposed additional territory is contiguous to the then-existing boundaries of the District or geographically advantageous for the operation of the District; 2. The addition of either members or proposed territory and the terms and conditions pertaining to such additions are approved by the Board and ratified by each of the Municipalities participating in the District; and 3. That each municipal applicant agrees with the vision, mission, and operating principles of this District, which is a hybrid model of using a combination of full-time and paid-on-call professionals. X. WITHDRAWAL FROM DISTRICT The Municipalities pledge to participate in the District for a minimum of two years. The procedure for withdrawal and distribution of assets shall be accomplished as follows: 1. Withdrawal from the District is permitted at the end of any calendar year (after two years) providing that such withdrawing municipality gives at least nine (9) months written notice to the other participating municipalities and to the Board. 2. Whatever equipment the withdrawing municipality gave to the District shall be returned and any equipment purchased by the District while the withdrawing municipality was a {W0610328.DOCX/1} -8 member of the District shall be appraised and/or sold at the discretion of the District and the withdrawing municipality shall receive the percentage of the value and/or net proceeds from the sale based on the percentage the withdrawing municipality contributed to the overall District budget during its final budget year. XI. DISSOLUTION OF DISTRICT The District may be dissolved by a unanimous vote of the Board, or if additional municipalities become members of the District, by a vote of 2/3rds of the Board. Notice of Intent to Request Dissolution shall be given at least nine months before the end of any calendar year. A dissolution resolution shall be effective at the end of the calendar year. Upon the dissolution of the District, all equipment and property shall be returned to the originating municipality. All equipment purchased by the District shall be sold and the net proceeds shall be distributed to each municipality based on each municipality's percentage of the total payments made to the District over the duration of the existence of the District. XII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION If a dispute arises between the parties concerning any terms or conditions of this Charter, the following procedures shall be utilized to resolve the dispute: Step One: Meeting between Administrator/Chief Elected Official and Fire Chief of each participating municipality. Step Two: Mediation Step Three: Arbitration In the event that Mediation occurs, the parties shall mutually agree upon a Mediator. In the event that arbitration occurs, the arbitration shall result in a hearing before a panel of three individuals, which shall include one arbitrator or independent hearing officer selected by each party and one individual selected by mutual agreement of the parties. Any decision by the arbitration panel shall be legally binding and final. The parties shall split equally the total cost of the arbitrators and each party shall bear their own costs incurred during the dispute resolution process. XIII. INDEMNIFICATION Each hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other participating Municipalities, its elected and appointed officials, officers, employees, agents, representatives and volunteers, and each of them, from and against any and all suits, actions, legal or administrative proceedings, claims, demands, damages, liabilities, interest, attorney’s fees, costs and expenses of whatsoever kind or nature in any manner directly or indirectly caused, occasioned, or contributed to in whole or in part or claimed to be caused, occasioned, or contributed to in whole or in part, by reason of any act, omission, fault or negligence, whether active or passive, of the municipality or of anyone acting under its direction or control or on its behalf, even if liability is also sought to be imposed on {W0610328.DOCX/1} -9 other participating Municipalities, its elected and appointed officials, officers, employees, agents, representatives and volunteers, and each of them, shall be applicable unless liability results from the sole negligence of the other participating Municipalities, its elected and appointed officials, officers, employees, agents, representatives and volunteers. Each shall reimburse the other participating Municipalities, its elected and appointed officials, officers, employees, agent or authorized representatives or volunteers for any and all legal expenses and costs incurred by each of them in connection therewith or in enforcing the indemnity herein provided. XIV. AMENDMENTS The Board may, from time to time, propose amendments to this Charter. Any amendment must be unanimously approved by the Board, and by each of the participating Municipalities. It is understood and agreed that this Charter shall be regularly reviewed after the date of ratification and amended as necessary. XV. EFFECTIVE DATE This Charter shall be effective as of January 1, 2014, upon its ratification by the governing bodies of each municipality. VILLAGE OF WESTON Dated: _ By:_ Fred Schuster, Village President Attest: Sherry Weinkauf, Village Clerk TOWN OF RIB MOUNTAIN Dated: _ By:_ ,Town Board Chairperson Attest: , Town Clerk {W0610328.DOCX/1} -10 SOUTH AREA FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE DISTRICT CHIEF STEVE MEILAHN 333 A S.A.F.E.R. WAY FORWARD V3: Fire & Emergency Services Delivery SCHLAGEL, NITZKE, WAGNER, LIVINGSTON 2015 Fire Rescue POC Owner Growth SAFER Full IFT Time EMS Training Empowering Communities  Question: How would an area community ‘buy into’ S.A.F.E.R. and become a partner vs. a contracted service? What would a flow sheet look like? Planning for the future is never easy. It starts with a spark, an idea, but requires experience, focus, and the courage to see it through. A S.A.F.E.R. Way Forward serves as this spark, an idea for the development and implementation of SAFER’s future services delivery model. While it’s no secret that S.A.F.E.R. is poised to become the premier provider of professional fire & emergency medical services, success hinges on managing key alternative revenue systems also. These systems, such as a multimedia training center, inter-facility services, and care innovations are intimately connected to the creation of a multi-tiered ownership option, strategic asset management, inter-department synergies, and a more mobile, dynamic, and motivated staff. Fire Rescue POC Ownership Growth S.A.F.E.R. Full Time IFT EMS Training A S.A.F.E.R. Way Forward 2015  Question: How would an area community ‘buy into’ S.A.F.E.R. and become a partner vs. a contracted service? What would a flow sheet look like? Our communities include those who run in when others run out - we call them Heroes. Duty, honor, service and the distinction of overcoming that which is difficult drives these men and women. It’s in their blood, it’s who they are. However, today’s antiquated emergency services delivery model inhibits many from realizing their full potential. In addition, a whole new generation of emergency professionals find themselves graduating into a field of limited opportunity. The result is departments in crisis; dwindling resources, dollars, and staff. A S.A.F.E.R. Way Forward offers real hope and the promise of a new future. Providing the challenge, respect, training, personal fulfillment, cash, skill, drills, and framework to offer unlimited opportunity. Why would area communities ‘buy into’ S.A.F.E.R.? It’s what individuals want and communities need.
 “I attempt an arduous task; but there is no worth in that which is not a difficult achievement” -Ovid, 8 AD  A S.A.F.E.R. Way Forward 2015  Question: How would an area community ‘buy into’ S.A.F.E.R. and become a partner vs. a contracted service? What would a flow sheet look like? As a combination department we’ve mastered the art of full-time management and paid-on-call emergency services professionals. Success has come through a deep appreciation of where we’ve been and the strength to make us better. We are unique. For example, Wausau Fire doesn’t incorporate paid-on-call or volunteer models. At best, it’s a destination for a handful of firefighters each year. Yet for every one firefighter that Wausau Fire hires there are a hundred that don’t meet the requirements or turned away. Our structure is our strength. A S.A.F.E.R. Way Forward outlines how any firefighter at any level can upgrade their skills, advance their accreditation, participate in drills, and earn a path to income through back-filling stations, paid-on-call service, inter-facility transfers, and even full-time employment.
 “One’s culture can either provide the greatest assistance, or else act as the greatest burden” -Plato, 428 BC  A S.A.F.E.R. Way Forward 2015  Question: How would an area community ‘buy into’ S.A.F.E.R. and become a partner vs. a contracted service? What would a flow sheet look like? Imagine a wheel, a large one with a steel rim, long wooden spokes, and an iron center. On the outside of the wheel are area community fire departments and in the center of the wheel are SAFER’s opportunities; paid- on-call, standby, inter-facility transfers, skills training, and even part-time and full-time employment. Depending on contractual relationships, their employees travel from the rim of the wheel down the spokes which represent S.A.F.E.R.’s orientation and training. Once they reach our center hub they participate with us. For example, licensed EMTs that can only operate as first responders in their home district would be able to operate as an EMT on S.A.F.E.R.’s inter-facility transport. This unprecedented opportunity to achieve together what we cannot achieve apart is just one of the reasons why area communities would ‘buy in’. A S.A.F.E.R. Way Forward 2015 Question: How would an area community ‘buy into’ S.A.F.E.R. and become a partner vs. a contracted service? What would a flow sheet look like? Partner S.A.F.E.R. Ltd Partner Fire/EMS Fire/EMS Mgd Partner Fire/EMS Contract Fee For Services Service A S.A.F.E.R. Way Forward 2015  Question: How would an area community ‘buy into’ S.A.F.E.R. and become a partner vs. a contracted service? What would a flow sheet look like? Partner • Voting rights • Strategic interest • Potential revenue • Population/Levy • SAFD personnel option • First tier access • State requirements for legal EMS and/or Fire PARTNER STATUS • Partner status represents the highest level of participation between S.A.F.E.R. and an area community (AC). The AC enjoys full voting right, enhanced revenue sharing, first tier access to inter-facility transfers, training, POCs, etc. • Partner status may be granted for many reason including S.A.F.E.R. strategy (such as ACs proximity to a capital market, IFTs, or region), the AC’s population or levy, • Partner status could include certain requirements of the AC such as allowing a S.A.F.E.R. staff member on location, meeting S.A.F.E.R. guidelines such as those for a first due out apparatus, long-term agreement, a fee schedule, etc. A S.A.F.E.R. Way Forward 2015  Question: How would an area community ‘buy into’ S.A.F.E.R. and become a partner vs. a contracted service? What would a flow sheet look like? Limited Partner • Voting restrictions • Strategic interest • Potential revenue • Population/Levy • Second tier access • SAFD requirements for legal EMS and/or Fire LIMITED PARTNER STATUS • Limited Partner status represents the second level of participation between S.A.F.E.R. and an area community (AC). The AC enjoys limited voting right, limited revenue sharing, second tier access to inter-facility transfers, training, POCs, etc. • Limited Partner status may be granted for many reason including S.A.F.E.R. strategy (such as ACs proximity to a capital market, IFTs, or region), the AC’s population or levy, • Limited Partner status could include certain requirements of the AC such as allowing a S.A.F.E.R. staff member on location, meeting S.A.F.E.R. guidelines such as those for a first due out apparatus, long-term agreement, a fee schedule, etc. A S.A.F.E.R. Way Forward 2015  Question: How would an area community ‘buy into’ S.A.F.E.R. and become a partner vs. a contracted service? What would a flow sheet look like? Managed Partner • Voting restrictions • Strategic interest • Potential revenue • Population/Levy • Third tier access • Bridge to Partner or Limited Partner MANAGED PARTNER STATUS • Managed Partner status represents the third level of participation between S.A.F.E.R. and an area community (AC). The AC enjoys restricted voting right, restricted revenue sharing, third tier access to inter-facility transfers, training, POCs, etc. • Managed Partner status may be granted for many reason including S.A.F.E.R. strategy (such as ACs proximity to a capital market, IFTs, or region), the AC’s population or levy, • Managed Partner status could include certain requirements of the AC such as allowing a S.A.F.E.R. staff member on location, meeting S.A.F.E.R. guidelines such as those for a first due out apparatus, long-term agreement, a fee schedule, etc. A S.A.F.E.R. Way Forward 2015  Question: How would an area community ‘buy into’ S.A.F.E.R. and become a partner vs. a contracted service? What would a flow sheet look like? Fire Rescue POC Owners Growth hip S.A.F .E.R. Full IFT Time EMS Training A S.A.F.E.R. Way Forward 2015  Question: How would an area community ‘buy into’ S.A.F.E.R. and become a partner vs. a contracted service? What would a flow sheet look like? CONTRACTED SERVICES/FEE-FOR-SERVICE STATUS • Contracted Services or Fee-for-Service status represents and alternative level of participation between S.A.F.E.R. and an area community (AC). The AC does not have voting right, does not have revenue sharing, but does have limited access to inter- facility transfers, training, POCs, etc. • Contracted Services or Fee-for-Service status may be granted for many reason including S.A.F.E.R. strategy (such as ACs proximity to a capital market, IFTs, or region), the AC’s population or levy, • Contracted Services or Fee-for-Service status could include certain requirements of the AC such as allowing a S.A.F.E.R. staff member on location, meeting S.A.F.E.R. guidelines such as those for a first due out apparatus, long-term agreement, a fee schedule, etc. A S.A.F.E.R. Way Forward 2015