CITY OF WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
FIRE DEPARTMENT
224 South Massey Street
Watertown, New York 13601
(315) 785-7800
Fax: (315) 785-7821
Dale C. Herman, Fire Chief
dherman@watertown-ny.gov
To: Shift Commanders Oe
From: D. Henman, Fire Chiet “SP
Date: November 8, 2017
Subject: Staffing Directive
Per direction from the City Manager, dated November 8, 2017, effective 12:01 am
Sunday, November 12, 2017, the practice of backfilling for fire department personnel
who report out on sick leave will cease. At no time shall overall shift strength drop
below 13 members including the Battalion Chief.
Members who are on long term sick leave will be backfilled and the determination as to a
member being on short or long term is being left to the discretion of Management.
Battalion Chiefs and Acting Battalion Chiefs are to ensure that when a member reports
out on sick leave that sufficient information is obtains so that a decision of short or long
term can be determined.
To be prepared for potential staffing shortages, the following staffing of apparatus will
take effect at 1800 hours Saturday, November 11, 2017.
Shift Strength of 15 Personnel
8-23 1 BC or ABC
Engine! 1 Captain or A/C and 3 Firefighters
Engine2 1 Captain or A/C and 2 Firefighters
Engine3 ‘1 Captain or A/C and 2 Firefighters
Truck 1 4 Firefighters
Shift Strength of 14 Personnel
8-23. 1 BC or ABC
Engine 1 1 Captain or A/C and 2 Firefighters
Engine 2 1 Captain or A/C and 2 Firefighters
Engine 3 1 Captain or A/C and 2 Firefighters
Truck 1 4 Firefighters
Shift Strength of 13 Personnel
8-23 1 BC or ABC
Engine 1 1 Captain or A/C and 2 Firefighters
Engine 2 1 Captain or A/C and 2 Firefighters
Engine 3 1 Captain or A/C and 2 Firefighters
Truck 1 3 Firefighters
If the Rescue Equipment that is assigned to that apparatus is required or needed at an
incident, the Battalion Chief or ABC will re-assign personnel or apparatus to respond
with that equipment.
We will be taking a look at the equipment inventory of the rescue truck and try to
accommodate that equipment on other apparatus in order to limit the number of times that
personnel need to respond with it. This will be similar to a swift water rescue trailer
response.
This will be the first time in over 30 years that the rescue truck has not been staffed.
Battalion Chiefs and ABC are encouraged to keep the Fire Chief informed of issues that
arise so that systems can be implanted in order to continue service delivery.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
CITY OF WATERTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT