Rocklin City Council adopts new fire recruit classification

The city of Rocklin adopted the new fire recruit classification, salary range and unit assignment resolution at Tuesday's City Council meeting. The resolution allows individuals without firefighting experience to attend Sierra College's 16-week fire academy, receive their Firefighter I certificate and be considered for the Rocklin Fire Department's pool of applicants, according to Rocklin Human Resources' management analyst Elise Hardy. According to the Adopt the Fire Recruit Classification, Salary Range, and Unit Assignment's Exhibit 1 - Fire Recruit Classification document, fire recruit is a "training-level classification" for recruits still completing Sierra's fire academy and learning skills in "firefighting methods, equipment operations, emergency medical services and physical fitness." Hardy told Rocklin City Council that the human resources department is "considering holding one to two spots" in the fire department recruit pool for those attending Sierra College's fire academy. The most recent pool of recruit applicants for the fire department was 39 individuals to fill three spots, according to Hardy. In 2018, she said this pool was nearly double. Rocklin Councilmember Jill Gayaldo asked Hardy about the most recent applicants' certifications. The last recruitment only allowed for individuals who had a paramedic certificate, Hardy said, but the new recruit classification allows for both paramedics and EMTs. "We base our hiring based on the vacancies we have. At some point, we are going to have a lot more paramedics," said Fire Chief Reginald Williams during Tuesday's meeting, "There is some opportunity to hire more EMTs in the future, but in order for our vehicles to be advanced life support, we only are required to have one paramedic on them. Typically, we have somewhere between two and three paramedics on our fire ranges and our ladder trucks." Gayaldo said the fire recruit program is "an opportunity" for south Placer, since three of South Placer's fire stations are closing down due to budget cuts. The closing of the stations was also covered in the Sept. 29 Gold Country Media article, "South Placer Fire closing down select stations due to budget shortfalls." Vice Mayor Ken Broadway asked Hardy which surrounding area already has a fire recruit classification. Lincoln, Roseville, Sacramento Metro, Yuba City, West Sacramento and Yuba City have an existing fire recruit classification, according to Hardy. In other news Multiple entities requested funds from the city's Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) funds for various programs. According to Rocklin city officials, the CARES Act allows the usage of up to $200,000 to "help offset the cost of unanticipated operating expenses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic." KidsFirst, a child-abuse prevention program, requested $45,000 to go toward rental, mortgage, and utility assistance. St. Vincent De Paul, a Catholic church, asked for $92,713.02 for rental, mortgage and utility assistance. The church also requested $44,125 for senior and disabled food bag donations and basic essentials. The Gathering Inn requested $142,274.98 in its revised proposal for rental assistance and direct services for the homeless in Rocklin impacted by the pandemic through housing, case management drivers, transportation, food, shelter and day services. The council approved the requested funding for all three programs. According to Laura Webster, Rocklin's long- range planning director, all entities will need to spend these funds by Nov. 9, 2023.