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Home My WebLink AboutIR 7373 INFORMAL. REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL. MEMBERS No. 7373 +,Rrt�o ofsoRr,�°p TO the Mayer and Membairs of then City Council Agri 18, H •••-- �rtx�y 8ubjact: EDUCATIONAL GRANT PROPOSAL FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT na This report is to advise and request Council support for a proposal to obtain an educational grant from a local foundation to enhance the formal education for a Fire Department employee. Chief McMillen and Mr. Tom Law, legal counsel representing the M. I .G. Foundation, a local foundation dedicated to providing educational grant opportunities for the benefit of the citizens of Fort Worth, are working together on a proposal for a monetary grant to assist in the funding necessary for advanced education and training for Fort Worth Fire Department personnel . Backsround: In recent years the role of the firefighter has changed dramatically with ever-increasing responsibilities in very specialized areas such as hazardous materials emergency control , EMS first responder and fire code enforcement. The Fort Worth Fire Department has accepted this expanded role effectively and provided specialized training primarily through on-the-job experience and internal training capabilities. However, in order to keep pace with our ever-changing world, it is imperative that increased opportunities for schooling be obtained. Proposal : A plan has been developed that would provide three (3) strategic levels of training: ( 1 ) Long-Term: Support of an individual in his/her pursuit of a Bachelor's or Master's level degree. (2) Short-Term/Part Time: Support of an individual in pursuit of an Associate's level degree or outside training programs in specialized subjects. (3) Special Development Courses: Support of individuals to attend development courses on the order of 3-4 weeks in length. Selection Proces$: A board of review consisting of fire service professionals and members .of the technical/educational community, all appointed by the Fire- Chief, would select the Fire Department member to be presented to the M.I.G. Foundation each year for the award of the educational grant. The selection would be based upon a written and inteirview exercise detailing the various aspects of the training and-the value gained both to the individual and the citizens of Fort Worth. In the case of a long-term selection, the Foundation will be asked to provide one grant annually. If short--term or special development courses are selected, the Foundation can, at their option, select more than one candidate for that year. -ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT,WORTH, TEXAS -- INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7373 son? To the Mayor and Members of the City Council April 18, 1989 EDUCATIONAL GRANT PROPOSAL FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT Subject: (PAGE 2 ) Commitment: Even though most Fort Worth firefighters begin and end their careers with the City, in order to assure that the training received will be utilized for the City's benefit, the selected candidate will be asked to sign a note for the amount of the proposed grant, committing him/her to repay it if he/she leaves employment with the Department within M years following completion of the training offered. However, an equal fraction of the note would be excused each year of the commitment that the firefighter continues in such employment. The number of years of commitment to remain in the employment of the Fort Worth Fire Department will be set prior to the candidate's participation. The candidate would also be asked to sign a Letter of Intent to finish his/her career with the Department. Cost: The attached proposal details several examples of •cost, time and levels of training. These examples, based on existing school programs, range from about $800 to $6,300 annually and range in time required from several weeks to four years. City of Fort Worth Participation: The City currently has a program in place to reimburse 75% of the tuition for City - employees attending schools and taking courses that benefit the City as well as the individual . The policy of the MIG Foundation would permit grant monies to be used only for actual educational expenses, as opposed to living or personal expenses. Therefore, the City would. be asked to share a portion of the cost of the educational opportunity by continuing to reimburse the employee 75% of the tuition costs, even though the M. I .G. Foundation has awarded tuition money, in effort to offset normal living expenses during the training period. 41 The City would not be expected to share the cost of short-term courses taken during off hours or courses not normally eligible for tuition reimbursement. For special development courses that would normally be granted leave with pay, the City would be asked to continue this policy. Unless otherwise directed by the City Council , the Fire Chief will present this proposal to the M. I.G. Foundation for adoption. The City and the Fire Chief, working in conjunction with the Foundation, will then proceed as rapidly as possible to implement the selection process for the upcoming school year. Douglas Harman City Manager IISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS EDUCATIONAL GRANT PROPOSAL INTRODUCTION The Fort Worth Fire Department is more than the traditional perception of strong, brave men/women fighting the ravages of fire. We are a sophisticated, technologically based organization called upon to handle an unlimited number of unknown situations. With the ever present changes in our society and the technology of hazardous materials, building construction, manufacturing and storage we must endeavor to meet this change in order to provide the services expected by the public. Beside firefighters, we are investigators, teachers, hazardous material handlers, paramedics, psychologists, inspectors, engineers and any discipline required to arrest an emergency situation. Traditionally, we have handled the call for specialized knowledge with on-the-job training. However, in order to keep pace with our changing world, we must continue to expand our knowledge. With this increased need for knowledge comes the realization that experience is no longer a sufficient teacher and we must look to outside sources for specialized training and education. GOALS We must acquire individuals who possess a higher level of education. In ordinary businesses it is common place to hire skilled people from outside sources. The fire department is unique in that it operates on a paramilitary format, under civil service laws and with a need for individuals who understand the fundamental principals of fire protection and prevention. It is therefore necessary to train individuals within the fire department to perform in these highly specialized jobs and to prepare them for the transition to management level positions where a new set of skills is required. Therefore, it is our goal to use this grant to help provide this necessary training of our fire protection professionals in specialized technical and management skills. PROPOSAL The fire department is prepared to provide many different services on a moments notice. Consequently, it has learned to adapt and maintain flexibility. The same can be said for its educational requirements. We must be able to provide for both an intense degree of study and a rapid exchange of information. Therefore, we propose a plan which enables us to maintain this flexibility. 1 Our plan would provide three (3) strategic levels of training. These levels are: 1 . Long Term: Support of an individual in his/her pursuit of a Bachelor's or Master's level degree. Study could be in areas such as Law, Fire Protection Engineering, Chemistry, Psychology, or Computer Science. This individual would be supported for a four (4) year cycle. 2. Short Term / Part Time: Support of (an) individual (s) in pursuit of an Associate's level degree or outside training programs in specialized subjects. Study could be in areas such as Emergency Management, Safety, Business Administration, Supervision and Leadership or Hazardous Materials. The individuals) would be supported for up to two (2) years. 3. Special Development Courses: Support of individuals to attend development courses on the order of 3-4 weeks in length. Study could be in areas that include more management level courses such as employee relations, interpersonal communications, technical writing or management strategies. SELECTION PROCESS Participants could be selected by a five to seven member board of review consisting of three to four fire service professionals and two to three members of the technical / educational community. All members would be appointed by the Fire Chief. A written proposal and oral interview will be utilized to select candidates. Proposals are to contain the applicants educational and work experiences plus a detailed description of the benefits of his anticipated training to the community. COMMITMENT Fort Worth firefighters often begin and end their careers with the fire department, allowing this educational investment to be returned to the community many times over. Our low turnover is also enhanced by the required participation in the pension fund and the limited movement abilities governed by State Civil Service Laws. However, the selected candidate will be asked to sign a note committing him/her to repay the total amount. An equal fraction of the note will be excused each year. The total number of years needed to totally excuse the note will equal the expected time commitment set prior to the candidates participation. The board would be responsible for determining the level of training to be pursued and the time commitment. The time commitment established would be based on the value to the candidate. The suggested benchmark would be a five year commitment for a Bachelors or Masters degree. The candidate would also be asked to sign a letter of intent to finish his/her _ career with the Fort Worth Fire Department. 2 _Q2S_T Anticipated costs of obtaining a Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's degree are listed below. An estimated 5% increase per year can be expected. Estimates were taken from local universities except where highly specialized programs exist. Our recommendation is that an amount equal to the funding required for a degree be set aside annually to be awarded by the board to a candidate or candidates chosen in one of the three levels of education as dictated by the needs of the department. CITY OF FORT WORTH PARTICIPATION The City currently has a program in place to reimburse 75% of the tuition fc. -- :,ity employees attending schools and taking courses that benefit the City as well as the individual . Therefore, the City would share a portion of the cost of the educational opportunity by continuing to reimburse the employee 75% of the tuition costs, even though the M. I .G. Foundation has awarded tuition money, in effort to offset normal living expenses during the training period. The City would not share the cost of short-term courses taken during off hours or courses not normally eligible for tuition reimbursement. For special development courses that would normally be granted leave with pay, the City would continue this policy. POSSIBLE COURSES University of Texas at Austin-Graduate Course: Business Administration Credits for Graduation: 64/2 years Degree: Masters Cost per year: Tuition 1600 Fees 200 Books Soo Total 2600 Harvard-John F. Kennedy School of Government Course: Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government Length of Attendance: 3 weeks Cost of Attendance: $6,300 ( includes lodging and meals) 3 Tarrant County Junior College Courses: Business Administration Engineering Sciences Chemistry Business Management Civil/Construction Technology Computer Science Fire Investigation Technology Fire Protection Technology Management Development Media Communications Credits for Graduation: 64 / 2 years Degree: Associates Cost per year: In-County Out of County Tuition $ 320 $ 416 Fees 66 66 Books 300 300 Total $ 686 $ 782 Texas Christian University-Undergraduate Courses: Chemistry Computer Science Criminal Justice Environmental Sciences Medical Technology *Pre-Engineering-2 years at TCU Psychology Social Work Urban Studies Management Marketing Public Relations Credits for Graduation: 124 / 4 years Degree: Bachelors Cost per Year: Tuition $ 5850 Fees 686 Books & Supplies 380 Total $ 6916 Texas Christian University-Graduate Courses: Chemistry Business Administration Management Science Oph, Credits for Graduation: 36 / 2 years Degree: Masters 4 Cost per Year: Tuition $ 3510 Fees 650 Books & Supplies 600 Total $ 4760 Texas Wesleyan College Courses: Business Administration Psychology Chemistry Criminal Justice Environmental Science Mass Communication Medical Technology Credits for Graduation: 124 / 4 years Degree: Bachelors Cost per year: Tuition $ 4500 Fees 300 Books & Supplies 350 Total 5150 University of Texas at Arlington-Undergraduate Courses: Business Administration Criminology and Criminal Justice Chemistry Medical Technology Psychology Credits for Graduation: 130 / 4 years Degree: Bachelors Cost per year: Tuition & Fees $ 954 Books 350 Total $ 1304 UniverCity of T at Arlin tan-Graduate Courses: Chemistry Management Psychology Business Administration Criminal Justice Engineering-Interdisciplinary Credits for Graduation: 56 / 2 years Degree: Masters Cost per year: Tuition & Fees $ 934 Books 350 Total $ 1284 5 Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Course: Religious Education Credits for Graduation: 68 / 2 years degree: Masters Cost per year: Tuition S 1400 Fees 110 Books 350 Total 1860 University of Maryland -College Park Course: Fire Protection Engineering Credits for Graduation: 130 J 4 years Degree: Bachelors Cost per Year: Out-of State Tuition & Fees $ 5292 Books 350 Total $ 5642 Oklahoma State University Course: Fire Protection Engineering Technology Credits for Graduation: 130 / 4 years Degree: Bachelors Cost per year: Out of Stag Tuition (estimate) $ 4000 Books 350 Total 4350 6