07-29-09 Personnel and Finance Committee Minutes

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Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting July 29, 2009 Page 6 In response to questions from Council President Dieter, Chief Buchanon stated that he would like to stay at the same staffing levels for sworn fire fighter personnel as budgeted for 2009, and therefore he will need an additional $800,000 in order to meet that goal. If those additional funds are not found, staffing will be affected which will result in additional overtime costs. Chief Buchanon noted that it is his understanding that under the Safer Grant, that the SBFD will only be allowed to apply for three (3) sworn firefighter positions. In response to questions from Council Members Kirsits and Dieter, Mayor Luecke stated that the Administration will be requesting that an additional $250,000 be transferred from the EMS revenue account to the General Fund in 2010 for operational costs for the SBFD. Battalion Chief of EMS Stephen Cox stated that they would be meeting with St. Joseph Medical Center staff next week to discuss the projected increase in operation costs to the SBFD to take people by ambulance to their new location in Mishawaka which opens on 12 ~ 14-09. Mayor Luecke stated that many legal issues are being addressed in light of this upcoming move, all aspects of it are being reviewed, and the Administration will keep the Council updated. Dr. Varner suggested that it may be appropriate to start seriously looking at the recommendations made in the Kernan-Shepard Report. Chief Buchanon stated that the issue becomes one of taking South Bend ambulances to Mishawaka, and the potential of having all available ambulances in Mishawaka at one time. Mayor Luecke stated that there are mutual assistance agreements in place, but that all aspects of this upcoming move of the hospital are being researched and discussed. In response to a question from Council Member Puzzello, Battalion Chief of EMS Stephen Cox. Stated that if a transport to the Mishawaka hospital is necessary as a result of a gun shooting, protocols would require police personnel to also be in Mishawaka. He further noted that patient choice is a national standard with regard to hospitals. Traffic concerns, especially during the holiday season will extend the response times, which is also a concern. In response to questions from Council Member La Fountain, patient choice is driven by the type of insurance coverage which a person has; their religion; and other factors. Council Member Kirsits suggested that updated information be given to the Council, similar to what Ted Foti presented from Memorial Hospital, with regard to Medicare patients, etc.