Fire chief Nick Ruller says fire department realignment will help balance workload and tackle turnover. - TorStar file photo
Niagara-on-the-Lake’s fire department is in the process of securing a second deputy fire chief.
Fire Chief Nick Ruller said the position was posted internally, and they hope to make an official offer to the desired candidate in the coming days.
This is just one of many changes that the department is undergoing as part of a realignment of responsibilities geared to balance the workload and tackle the high turnover rate.
This second deputy fire chief is the result of a reclassification that increases the responsibilities to one of the fire prevention officer roles. There is no increase to the number of full-time employees in the overall structure realignment.
“We tend to be a bit of a training ground for other area fire departments,” said Ruller.
With substantially lower wages than some of the area municipalities, Ruller said that retention has been difficult. A recruit could easily join, obtain training, gain experience and then move on to a department that pays more.
“That makes it very challenging because without consistent individuals in the position, it’s very hard to make real headway with the organization.”
The department has turned over two fire chiefs, two deputy fire chiefs, four training officers, three fire prevention officers and four administrative assistants within the past two to three years.
“When you have consistent turnover, it can be very challenging for those that are remaining in their positions because inevitably, in a smaller organization, you don’t have the depth there to just absorb the workload like larger organizations can when you have a vacant position.”
Ruller said the department is proposing the creation of a fire master plan in 2020, which could take upwards of a year to complete.
In the meantime, they launched this new stabilization growth plan to guide the department in the short term.
“I always just find, on a personal level, it’s hard to take people somewhere if they don’t know where they’re headed.”
Ruller said they are also hoping to analyze the team of 110 volunteer firefighters, to see whether they are appropriately dispersed through the community and whether the availability provides sufficient emergency response, or whether they ought to increase the number of recruits.
“Really, what it comes down to is critically looking at pretty much everything we do and asking ourselves why we do it and whether it’s currently meeting the needs of the department and the needs of the community.”
This reclassification of responsibilities will cost $14,000, an increase that is already reflected in the draft 2020 budget.
Link to original article on stcatharinesstandard.ca: NOTL fire department realignment aiming to tackle turnover