HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 25913-12-2022 ORDINANCE NO. 25913-12-2022
AN ORDINANCE ADJUSTING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF
AUTHORIZED CIVIL SERVICE POSITIONS IN THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT BY TWO EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 19, 2022 BY
ADDING TWO POSITIONS IN THE CLASSIFICATION OF
FIREFIGHTER; PROVIDING A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND
INTENT; PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE
CUMULATIVE OF ALL PRIOR ORDINANCES AND REPEAL
CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Section 143.021(a), Texas Local Government Code provides that a
municipality's governing body shall by ordinance (i) establish the classifications of fire
fighters and(ii)prescribe the number of positions in each classification; and
WHEREAS, on November 8, 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2442411-2022,
which established the Fire Department's sworn personnel staffing levels effective November 19,
2022, as follows:
Assistant Chief 3
Deputy Chief 6
Battalion Chief 27
Captain 90
Lieutenant 132
Engineer 217
Firefighter 525
TOTAL 1,000; and
WHEREAS, the Fire Chief requested that the City Council increase the number of
authorized positions in the existing classification of Firefighter by two (2) effective November
19, 2022, to accommodate the graduates of Academy Class 92 and thereafter prescribe the
number of authorized positions in the Fire Department to conform with the proposed changes as
set forth below in order to effect efficient economy of the operations of the Fire Department.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FORT WORTH,TEXAS THAT:
Ordinance No.25913-12-2022 Page 1 of 3
SECTION 1.
Following the formal adoption of this ordinance, the following positions shall be the
only civil service positions in each classification (rank) authorized in the City of Fort Worth
Fire Department effective November 19, 2022 until modified by subsequent ordinance:
Assistant Chiefs 3
Deputy Chiefs 6
Battalion Chiefs 27
Captain 90
Lieutenant 132
Engineer 217
Firefighter 527
TOTAL 1,002
SECTION 2.
The "Mayor and Council Communication" memorandum, which is presented
contemporaneously with this ordinance, is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference
for further clarification and explanation of the purpose and intent of the City Council in its
adoption of this ordinance as well as the Department in its implementation.
SECTION 3.
This ordinance shall be cumulative of all provisions of previous ordinances and of the
Code of the City of Fort Worth, Texas (2015), as amended, except where the provisions of
this ordinance are in direct conflict with the provisions of prior fire staffing ordinances
for the Fire Department and such Code, in which event conflicting provisions of such
ordinances and such code provisions are hereby repealed and this ordinance shall be
controlling.
SECTION 4.
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the sections, paragraphs,
sentences, clauses and phrases of these ordinances are severable, and if any phrase,
clause, sentence, paragraph or section of this ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional by
the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality
shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs and sections of
Ordinance No.25913-12-2022 Page 2 of 3
this ordinance, since the same would have been enacted by the City Council without the
incorporation in this ordinance of any such unconstitutional phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph
or section.
SECTION 5.
The classifications and numbers prescribed by this ordinance shall take effect and be in full force
and effect as of November 19,2022,and it is so ordained.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY: ATTEST:
M ` ` ✓yr�ririai iL/ �. Goodall
Jannnette S.Goodall(Dec 16,2022 08:07 CST)
Denis C.McElroy, Asst. City Attorney Jannette S. Goodall, City Secretary
ADOPTED: December 13, 2022
of 1:0 ,
EFFECTIVE: November 19,2022
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Ordinance No.25913-12-2022 Page 3 of 3
City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
DATE: 12/13/22 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 22-1074
LOG NAME: 36ADDITIONAL TEMORARY STAFFING OVERAGE-CLASS 92
SUBJECT
(ALL)Adopt Ordinance Temporarily Increasing the Number of Authorized Positions in the Classification of Firefighter in the Fire Department by
Two
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached ordinance prescribing the number of authorized sworn positions in each classification
in the Fire Department,temporarily increasing the number of authorized positions in the classification of Firefighter by two,thereby increasing the
total authorized civil service positions from 1,000 to 1,002 effective November 19,2022, and effective until superseded by future ordinances.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication(M&C)and the attached ordinance is to temporarily increase the number of authorized
positions in the classification of Firefighter in the Fort Worth Fire Department by a total of 2 in order to have sufficient Firefighter positions for all of
the members of Fort Worth Fire Recruit Class 92 who graduated on November 18,2022 and promoted to Firefighter on November 19,2022.
There were 25 graduates in Recruit Class 92 with a projection of five Firefighter vacancies. On November 8,the City Council adopted an
ordinance to add 20 positions to field those graduates(M&C 22-0932; Ordinance 25734-11-2022). Unfortunately, attrition did not occur as
anticipated,and only three vacant Firefighter positions existed as of November 18.
To ensure all graduates were treated the same and had consistent seniority and commissioning dates,all of the graduates were commissioned in
substantial compliance with Local Government Code Chapter 143 as of November 19,2022 in accordance with Section 143.021(b)even though
an ordinance adding the two additional positions had not been adopted as of that date.
The need to add these positions is a result of the Department not generally carrying vacancies. In an effort to ensure that calls for service are met
with optimum response times,the Fire Department strives to keep the number of Firefighter vacancies as close to zero as reasonably possible.To
accomplish this goal,Academy classes are scheduled to correspond with projected vacancies, including retirements and promotions. Because
the necessary vacancies in the Firefighter classification were not officially available to accommodate all graduates in Class 92,the Department is
seeking to temporarily increase the number of authorized positions in the classification of Firefighter by an additional two(2).
On November 8,2022,the City Council adopted its most recent authorized staffing ordinance for the Fire Department,which increased the total
number of authorized positions in the classification of Firefighter by 20,prescribing the total number of authorized positions for each classification
of swom personnel and providing for a total of 1,000 civil service positions(M&C 22-0932; Ordinance 25734-11-2022).
Approval of the attached ordinance would result in new temporary authorized staffing levels effective November 19,2022 as follows:
!Current Revised Temporary Future
Position Authorized Change; uthorized Authorized Intended
Positions Positions ;Positions uthorized
Strength*
! !
� ! I
Assistant 3 3 3
Chief
� I
EDe 66 76 �1
[]a
ttalion 27 27 27
Chief
!
Captain 90 90 ! 90
Lieutenant 132—i17— 132 ,![7-7 132 j
Engineer11 217 L_J 217 [- 7
Firefighter; 525 +2 527 23 4 504
TOTAL i 1,000 +2 1,002 23 979 j
`The"Future Intended Authorized Strength"figure is based off of Staffing levels as of the adopted FY2023 budget.
NOTE—The staffing numbers shown in this M&C are tied to the adopted Fiscal Year(FY)2023 budget.
A Form 1295 is not required because:This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity.
FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION:
The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendation,funds are available in the current operating budget,as
previously appropriated, in the General Fund. Prior to an expenditure being incurred,the Fire Department has the responsibility to validate the
availability of funds.
Submitted for City Manager's Office-W. Valerie Washington 6199
Originating Business Unit Head: Jim Davis 6801
Additional Information Contact: Mark Rauscher 6803
Expedited