West Kelowna Council Defers Firefighter Hiring Despite Overtime Costs
West Kelowna, BC – The West Kelowna City Council has declined to approve funding for twoadditional flex firefighters, despite a presentation by Fire Chief Jason Brolund highlighting significant overtime costs.
Overtime Costs Exceed Budget:
Brolund presented data showing that overtime costs for the fire department have consistently exceeded the budgeted amount for the past three years, ranging from $500,000 to $700,000 annually. This has resulted in unbudgeted expenses, partially covered by surpluses in other areas.
Contractual Obligation & Overtime Strain:
The department is obligated to maintain a minimumof eight firefighters on duty 24/7, requiring 40 members to cover shifts. The current two flex firefighters help manage overtime, but Brolund stressed the strain on firefighters. He emphasized the need for firefighters to have time offfor family and vacations, leading to situations where minimum staffing levels are reduced due to a lack of available overtime workers.
Proposed Solution & Cost:
Brolund proposed adding two more flex firefighters, which would cost the city $240,000 annually, plus a one-time training and onboarding costof $41,500 and $35,000 per year in administrative support. He estimated this would reduce unbudgeted overtime to between $200,000 and $400,000 per year.
Council’s Decision:
Despite the presentation, the council voted against the funding request, choosing to defer the decision for now.
Key Takeaways:
- West Kelowna Fire Department faces significant overtime costs, exceeding budget by hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
- The current staffing levels are strained, impacting firefighters’ ability to take time off.
*The council’s decision to defer the funding request leaves the department facing continued overtime costs and potential staffing shortages.
Further Reporting:
This story could be further developed by exploring:
- The council’s reasoning for deferring the decision.
- Potential alternative solutions to address the overtime costs.
- Theimpact of the decision on firefighter morale and service delivery.
- The long-term financial implications of continued overtime spending.
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