HomeMy WebLinkAboutJFMC January 2, 2025 FIRE MERIT COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers
January 2, 2025
CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting for January 2, 2025, Fire Merit Commission was called to order by
Commissioner McCormick at 6:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL: The roll call was conducted and those present were Commissioners Troy McCormick, Donovan Sims,
Sam Smith,Thomas Spalding and Brooke Valentine.
COMMISSION STAFF: Fire Merit Commission Counsel Zach Stewart,President Union Brad Tetley, Fire Chief Shawn
Grant and Stenographer Cindy Seifert
GUESTS: Kyle Patterson
MINUTES: Commissioner Smith made the motion to approve the minutes from December 5, 2024, seconded by
Commissioner Sims, passes on a vote of 5-0.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Sims made the motion to approve the Agenda, seconded by
Commissioner Spalding, passes on a vote of 5-0.
CLAIMS: None
BUSINESS:
ADMINISTRATION REQUEST FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF EXPERIENCED OFFICER LIST — RESOLUTION 2025-01
RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING AN AMENDMENT TO RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING MERIT BOARD FOR THE
JEFFERSONVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Attorney Stewart advised the Commission that he has drafted a Resolution to take before the City Council
requesting permission to propose changes to the Fire Merit Commission, allowing for the creation of an
Experienced Firefighter List "EFL" in addition to the non-experienced Applicant Hiring List. In order to propose
this change to the Commission, and have a public hearing on the change, the Commission first has to have the
approval of the City Council to move forward. This resolution does not yet approve the addition of the EFL, only
allows for the Commission to begin planning for what it would entail. Commissioner McCormick stated he would
feel more confident requesting the ability to make changes, if we could approach the City Council with more
details on how this EFL would work.Questions how the determination of which list the Chief would request hiring
from, what would be the rules on use of each list. Chief Grant explained that all new hires would have to go
through training, however EFL candidates would require less time to complete training. Commissioner McCormick
asked about whether Rank would be included, Chief Grant advised that all hiring would be for Firefighter, and
they would have to go through the promotion process separately. Commissioner McCormick stated that he would
rather know how regular Applicant Hiring List would be affected by this EFL if implemented.
Commissioner McCormick made the motion to table until next meeting after more detail is available, seconded
by Commissioner Smith, passes on a vote of 5-0.
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ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2025 (PRESIDENT;VICE-PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY)
Commissioner McCormick made the motion to reappoint the same officers for 2025 with Troy McCormick as
President, Thomas Spalding as Vice-President and Sam Smith as Secretary, seconded by Commissioner Sims,
passes on a vote of 5-0.
ATTORNEY REPORT: No Report
REPORT FROM LOCAL 558 UNION: No Report
REPORT ADMINISTRATION: Chief Grant reiterated that importance of the Experience Firefighter List, due to
the proposed creation of a fire territory. If this occurs, it would be very valuable in filling the additional houses
that will be necessary. They will work on getting more details of how the processes would work together.
FIRE MERIT COMMISSION COMMENTS:
Commissioner Sims asked Union President Tetley about any pushback from Union on Experienced Firefighter List.
Most questions have been regarding the need for the list. Union Members are worried about alienating the
inexperienced firefighters if there is an experienced list to choose from. Union just wants good qualified
candidates.
Union Representative Patterson added that there on 11 on the current hiring list that are experienced firefighters.
ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business before the Commission, Commissioner Smith made the motion to ADJOURN, seconded
by Commissioner Valentine, passes on a vote of 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:32 P.M.
APPROVE Y:
lit/
Troy McCormick, President
Res ully Submitted by:
eifert, Stenographer
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