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Regular City Council Meeting <br />August 19, 2003 <br />Page 5 <br />Mr. Anderson explained that one of the contributing factors is the change in <br />shift cycle from 28 days to 7 because the way they had been doing it, they had <br />to work more than 212 hours in a 28 day period cycle before they drew any <br />overtime. The way it is set up now, on a 7 day cycle, any hours worked over <br />53 in a week is overtime, which would increase the overtime. <br />On a question by Councilwoman Neeley, Chief Grooms explained the number <br />of firefighters at each station per shift. <br />Chief Grooms advised that he is in the process of developing a health fitness <br />program. He said what he wants to do is for the staff officers to develop this <br />program and have the men working out while on duty and get them physically <br />fit in order to help decrease some of the accidents, which would actually save <br />money in the long run. <br />Councilman Bell requested that when Chief Grooms looks at additional staffing <br />possibilities that he look at his category of staffing definition for driver and <br />engineer and things of that nature. Councilman Bell said he has heard other <br />cities refer to these people as different things. <br />Chief Grooms said they have an archaic ranking system and he is not saying it <br />does not work because it does. He advised that, last year, he placed this in the <br />budget a request to change that into something more in line with other <br />departments. Since we are short of funds, he did not place it as high on his <br />priority list this year as it was last year. Mayor Fendley asked if this was an <br />expensive item. Chief Grooms said it will incur some cost because they are a <br />Civil Service city. To be able to make the change will require promotional <br />exams and additional pay. Chief Grooms said he has that information <br />prepared, but had not brought it to the meeting. Councilman Bell said he <br />would like for him to bring those two items so they could be considered <br />separately at another time. <br />Councilman Plata said you are asking him to come forward with four more <br />