Item C12C ounty of M onroe
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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Mayor David Rice, District 4
The FlOnda Key
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Mayor Pro Tem Sylvia J. Murphy, District 5
Danny L. Kolhage, District 1
George Neugent, District 2
Heather Carruthers, District 3
County Commission Meeting
July 18, 2018
Agenda Item Number: C.12
Agenda Item Summary #4406
BULK ITEM: Yes DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Steven Hudson (305) 289 -6020
N/A
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of a resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of
Monroe County, Florida adopting a fee schedule for a Fire Rescue Minimum Standards Class at the
Monroe County Training Academy and approving a waiver of fees for qualified Monroe County
Residents in the amount of $2,200 per student.
ITEM BACKGROUND: Monroe County's Fire Rescue Training Division conducts various
training programs for Monroe County career and volunteer firefighters. In order to become a state
certified firefighter, an individual needs to complete various firefighting courses to achieve a
"Minimum Standard" of firefighting in order to pass the state exam. In addition, Monroe County,
and most other fire departments now require all firefighters to be at least certified EMT's
(Emergency Medical Technicians) before they can be hired as MCFR career firefighters. The
Monroe County training facility in Crawl Key is one of only 43 approved "live burn" academies in
the State of Florida. Under our current structure, individuals who have no existing fire certifications
and wish to pursue a career in the fire service must join one of the local volunteer organizations as a
fire volunteer. The volunteer organization will then sponsor the individual to attend the necessary
classes to achieve his or her certification(s). Over the last several years, the number of volunteer
organizations and volunteers has steadily declined within Monroe County. We are hiring more and
more firefighters who live on the mainland and travel to and from their assigned stations within the
Keys. Our turnover ratio is high and our department is looking for ways to increase the number of
local Keys residents applying for positions with our department.
The proposed annual "Minimum Standards Class" will be promoted throughout the Keys, especially
at high schools, encouraging local students to consider a career in Fire Rescue as a possible
alternative to moving away from the Keys. Students meeting the "Resident Qualification" criteria
can apply for the curriculum fee ($2,200) to be waived, however they will be responsible for all
other out of pocket expenses such as books, bunker gear, accommodation, transportation, etc.
Qualified local residents will receive preference in the enrollment process. Non - residents can also
apply to enroll in the class based on available openings and will be asked to pay the $2,200
curriculum fee in full prior to the first day of class. Allowing non - residents to attend the classes will
generate revenue for the training facility to be used to offset other costs of hosting the class. This is
a common practice around the State at other fire training facilities. All students (resident and non-
resident) must also pass a background check and receive approval from the Battalion Chief of
Training to attend the class. Students who are approved for the fee waiver will be asked to commit
to becoming a volunteer within Monroe County for a minimum period of three (3) years, otherwise
the waived fee will become immediately due and payable to Monroe County, in accordance with the
attached "Student Repayment Agreement ". The volunteer requirement would automatically
terminate if the individual is successful in securing full time employment as a career firefighter
within Monroe County.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
None
CONTRACT /AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval
DOCUMENTATION:
RESOLUTION
Student Agreement
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date:
Expiration Date:
Total Dollar Value of Contract:
Total Cost to County:
Current Year Portion:
Budgeted:
Source of Funds:
CPI:
Indirect Costs:
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts:
Revenue Producing: If yes, amount:
Grant:
County Match:
Insurance Required:
Additional Details:
Registration and attendance of non - County residents will generate revenue ($2,200 per student,
per class) and will require establishment of a new revenue account by OMB.
REVIEWED BY:
James Callahan
Completed
06/29/2018 12:30 PM
Pedro Mercado
Completed
06/29/2018 3:58 PM
Budget and Finance
Completed
06/30/2018 10:27 AM
Maria Slavik
Completed
07/02/2018 7:21 AM
Kathy Peters
Completed
07/02/2018 9:43 AM
Board of County Commissioners
Pending
07/18/2018 9:00 AM
RESOLUTION NO. -2018
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA ADOPTING A FEE SCHEDULE FOR A
FIRE RESCUE MINIMUM STANDARD'S CLASS AT THE MONROE
COUNTY TRAINING ACADEMY; APPROVING A WAIVER OF FEES
FOR MONROE COUNTY RESIDENTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Monroe County Fire Rescue (MCFR) currently operates a State certified county -wide
fire academy, providing training for volunteer and career firefighters in basic, hands -on firefighting and
medical skills; and
WHEREAS, MCFR's training facility is one of only 43 approved "Live Fire" academies in the State
of Florida; and
WHEREAS, MCFR has historically supported its career firefighting personnel with local
volunteers to increase the number of available on -scene firefighters at structure fires and other critical
firefighting needs; and
WHEREAS, the number of volunteers within Monroe County has been declining for several years
and MCFR faces a shortage of qualified and available volunteer firefighters; and
WHEREAS, MCFR would like to increase the ratio of local certified career firefighters within the
department with the goal of reducing turnover by loss of trained personnel to other departments
outside of Monroe County.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The following policy is hereby established with respect to the Minimum Standard's Training
Class at Monroe County's Fire Academy.
A. The MCFR Training Division is authorized to offer a fee -based "Minimum Standard's Class" on an
annual basis, or more frequently as needed.
B. The Minimum Standard's Class will be an 11 -week course held at the Monroe County Training
Facility on Crawl Key, with daily classes Monday through Friday, 0800 -1700, with training classes
delivered by qualified MCFR personnel.
C. Graduates of the class will become State certified EMT /Firefighters and will be eligible to be
employed as an EMT /Firefighter within the State of Florida.
D. The initial fee for the course will be established at $2,200 per student that does not include
books, supplies, gear or other incidentals, which will be the responsibility of each student to
provide prior to the start of the course.
E. The fee will be waived for qualified residents of Monroe County (as outlined in Sections 2 and 3
below) to encourage and assist local applicants in becoming State certified EMT /Firefighters.
F. All students will be required to secure their own housing and transportation to and from the
daily classes.
G. Local residents who are approved for the fee waiver will be required to become a volunteer
firefighter within Monroe County's fire system for a minimum duration of three (3) years,
otherwise, the waived fee will become immediately due and payable to Monroe County.
H. The initial Minimum Standards Class is scheduled to begin on 8/27/18 and end on 11/16/18.
Section 2. Fee Waiver Qualifications
A. The waiver includes the cost of tuition only and does not include books, supplies, gear,
incidentals or housing.
B. The student must be a qualifying resident as defined in Section 3 below.
C. Students must pass a background check and be approved for the class by the Battalion Chief of
Training.
Section 3. Resident Qualification. The waiver process requires qualification as a resident and
submission of documentation by the student seeking the waiver:
A. Any property owner, or immediate member of his or her household, who is currently paying
property taxes in Monroe County and resides in said property. The term "immediate member of
his or her household" means (a) residing at the same address as the property owner, and (b)
son, daughter, father, mother, brother, sister, mother -in -law, father -in -law, brother -in -law,
sister -in -law, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, stepfather, stepmother, stepdaughter, stepson, half
brother, half sister, grandchild, or domestic partner.
B. A resident of Monroe County, or immediate member of his or her household (as defined in
Paragraph A above), who rents property in Monroe County and resides in said property.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida at a
regular meeting held on the 18t day of July, 2018.
Mayor David Rice
Mayor Pro Tern Sylvia Murphy
Commissioner Heather Carruthers
Commissioner Danny Kolhage
Commissioner George Neugent
(SEAL) BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: KEVIN MADOK, CLERK OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By:
Deputy Clerk
By:
Mayor David Rice
C.12.b
�i Fire Academy Student Repayment Agreement
, hereinafter referred to as STUDENT, agrees as follows:
STUDENT NAME (Printed)
The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, hereinafter referred to as COUNTY agrees to enroll the
above named STUDENT in the Monroe County Fire Rescue "Minimum Standards Class" to be held at the
Monroe County Fire Training Academy on Crawl Key commencing on or about the day
of 20
TUITION, BOOKS, AND OTHER COSTS OF TRAINING
The COUNTY will waive the cost of tuition in the amount of $2,200 for any STUDENT who is a resident of
Monroe County and meets the established eligibility requirements.
II. The STUDENT will be responsible to pay all other costs, including but not limited to housing,
transportation, books, supplies, meals, and bunker gear.
III. By signing this Agreement, the STUDENT agrees to reimburse the COUNTY for the full tuition cost waived
by the COUNTY on STUDENT's behalf, if:
A. STUDENT withdraws from the course, or fails to complete the program as scheduled;or
B. STUDENT fails to obtain his or her State certification as a Firefighter /EMT from the Florida
Department of Health within 12 months after completion of the course; or
C. STUDENT fails to volunteer with one of the volunteer organizations in Monroe County for a period
of three (3) consecutive years from date of completion of the Monroe County Fire Rescue Training
Program.
NOTE: If any of the situations in (A) — (C) occur, the STUDENT will immediately be liable for payment in full of
the entire tuition cost. Any balance of the repayment amount that remains unpaid after thirty (30) days will
accrue interest at the rate set in accordance with Section 55.03, Florida Statutes.
VOLUNTEER OR CAREER FIRE SERVICE EMPLOYMENT WITHIN MONROE COUNTY
If STUDENT successfully completes the course and satisfactorily performs his or her duties as a Volunteer within
Monroe County as required herein, then the COUNTY /Fire Chief agrees that STUDENT shall have no further
financial obligation as a result of any tuition fees waived on behalf of STUDENT, pursuant to this Agreement.
In addition, if STUDENT secures employment as a career firefighter with any fire department within Monroe
County, Florida, the requirement to complete a three (3) year period serving as a Monroe County volunteer
will be waived, and this agreement will become null and void as of the first date of employment as a Monroe
County career firefighter.
STUDENT TO PAY COSTS OF COLLECTION
STUDENT agrees to pay the COUNTY all reasonable costs of collection and attorney's fees incurred by the
COUNTY in the event the COUNTY is obliged to collect any funds advanced to STUDENT pursuant to this
Agreement.
Page 2 of 2
C.72.b
�i Fire Academy Student Repayment Agreement
VENUE
In the event that litigation is necessary to enforce the terms of this agreement, the STUDENT agrees that
litigation will be held in Monroe County, Florida.
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE
If any part of this Agreement is ruled to be unenforceable, the remaining parts of the Agreement shall still be
legally binding.
THIS IS INTENDED TO BE A LEGALLY BINDING DOCUMENT. READ IT CAREFULLY. DO NOT SIGN IT IF YOU DO
NOT UNDERSTAND IT, OR IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS.
Signature (STUDENT)
Print Name
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, personally appeared, who
identified himself /herself to me and produced satisfactory proof of identification or is personally known to
me, and acknowledged to me that he /she executed the foregoing agreement freely, voluntarily, and for the
purposes therein expressed.
Dated this day of , 20 at , Florida.
Notary Public, State of Florida
Commission Expires:
Fire Chief
Monroe County, Florida
Signature (Chief)
James K. Callahan
Print Name
Page 2 of 2