Master Plan, CRA/SOC
Town of Southington, CT
Recommendation 2.4: Establish participation requirements for volunteer firefighters to ensure that the town is not paying a higher cost per call for volunteer firefighters than it does for career firefighters. When evaluating the cost of a volunteer firefighter compared to a career firefighter, ESCI used the total cost for an entry-level firefighter based on the 2019 salary and a 38% multiplier to the total cost accounted for employee benefits. ESCI notes that the cost of a career firefighter per call is actually less than the cost of a new volunteer firefighter who responded to between 12.5 and 24% of the calls for service in 2019. A new volunteer firefighter who responded to 25% or more of the calls for service in 2019 does provide a savings for the town compared to the salary of a career firefighter. Recommendation 2.5: Review the medical evaluation program for compliance with NFPA 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments. In addition to reviewing the medical program for compliance with NFPA 1582, the Southington Fire Department should consider emphasizing health and wellness programs for its first responders because of an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer in the fire service. Prevention programs and health monitoring provide cost savings to fire organizations, reducing workers' compensation costs, sick leave/overtime hiring costs, and improves the overall mental and physical health and wellness of first responders. Recommendation 2.6: Replace the height and weight requirements for career and volunteer firefighters with a periodic assessment under the supervision of the fire department health and fitness coordinator. While height and weight requirements were once considered to be the primary measure of firefighter fitness, NFPA 1583, Standard on Health-Related Fitness Programs for Fire Department Members recommends a periodic assessment under the supervision of the fire department health and fitness coordinator. ESCI noted that Article 29 of the 2018-2020 Contract between the Town of Southington and IAFF Local 2033 includes the following height and weight restrictions for career firefighters. These same requirements are listed at the top of the application to become a volunteer firefighter.
Page 175