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DRAFT Comprehensive Fire Service Study MEDINA, MINNESOTA <br /> <br />Matrix Consulting Group Page 69 <br /> <br />One of the assumptions in this financial projection is for the fire department to remain as <br />a volunteer department. As previously noted, this is likely to become an issue in the near <br />future as the fire departments currently serving the City of Medina have indicated they <br />are struggling to recruit new volunteers for their respective departments. The cost to <br />include paid firefighters can take several forms. <br /> <br />Some fire departments have utilized part-time firefighters to staff the department for those <br />hours that volunteer firefighters are not available, typically the daytime hours during the <br />week. Hourly rates can vary between $15 and $20 depending on the area and certification <br />levels maintained. The hours of operation can range from 8 -hour days to 10-hour days. <br />Using a 10-hour day allows for the overlap between the paid crews and the volunteer <br />crews to ensure personnel coverage for calls for service. The table that follows illustrates <br />the cost associated with using part-time firefighters. <br /> <br />Part-Time Staffing <br />Hourly Rate 10-hour shift 2 Personnel FICA Total Cost <br />$15 $39,000 $78,000 $5,967 $83,967 <br />$18 $46,800 $93,600 $7,160 $100,760 <br />$20 $52,000 $104,000 $7,956 $111,956 <br /> <br />The hours are based on a Monday through Friday work week with the 10-hour shift <br />totaling 2,600 hours for the year for each position. <br /> <br />Conversely, full-time employees could be used to staff the department during the daytime <br />hours. The range of pay is $55,000 to $65,000 per year per employee. The table that <br />follows illustrates the cost for two personnel. <br /> <br />Full-Time Staffing <br />Salary FICA Health Care <br />Benefits <br />Total Cost per <br />Employee <br />Number of <br />Personnel Total Cost <br />$55,000 $4,208 $12,000 $71,208 2 $142,415 <br /> <br />The cost for two full-time employees is approximately $142,415 and the hours for <br />operation would 8 hours per day. There could be some amount of overtime depending on <br />the calls for service at the timing of that request. <br />In terms of additional workload for the financial function, there will be additional payroll <br />issues, purchasing, and the payment of the normal invoices. The larger purchases will <br />require additional time to address the purchasing requirements for specifications and <br />purchase orders. To handle the needs of the fire department including the purchasing,