The action came after a parade of firefighters and two former mayors defended the department against statements made by Fire Chief Karl Diekman, who chastised members of the Woodland Professional Firefighters Association for comments made two weeks ago by Association President Walter Scruggs which implied low-income areas of the city are treated differently than upper income residences.
The 3-1 decision by councilmen (Jeff Monroe was opposed while Neal Peart was absent on business) had been requested by Diekman and the city's senior management team.
As changed, the new language for filling engineer and captain positions in the Fire Department allows for a 45-day internal and external recruitment period. During the first week of that period, the positions would be open for city firefighters only. At the end of that first week, "depending on the quantity and quality of internal candidates who have applied, the city would adjust the level of effort and magnitude of external recruitment accordingly" meaning it would search outside the city.
Diekman has said the changes are necessary to staff a fourth engine company, which is required for development of the Springlake area on the city's southeastern side. That company needs three fire captains, three fire engineers and three firefighters.
Diekman told the council the formation of the engine company was triggered under development agreements. The agreement with Springlake calls for the engine company 90 days ahead of the first occupied house. Earlier estimates called for that occupancy to occur around June.
Firefighters had sought a delay in the action desiring to promote only current firefighters. Two weeks ago Scruggs claimed community safety would be put at risk if people from outside the town were brought in to fill supervisory positions.
Fire Engineer John Nails concurred with that assessment Tuesday, also telling the council there was no urgency to change the job descriptions as represented by Diekman. "Institutional knowledge can't be gained by opening a map book," he said.
Fire Engineer Tim McGrew, who has been with the department for 28 years, told the council there are people on a list for promotion and that a delay would allow more people to be put on that list. He also said there was no urgency to begin a fourth engine company.
