TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to report back to the City Council with a recommendation for both Police and Fire staffing levels, and associated funding for both academy and on-going personnel costs.
DISCUSSION
As the City Council evaluates the potential community benefits associated with the hiring of additional police officers, it is appropriate to review Fire Department staffing requirements to ensure that all Public Safety needs are addressed.
Currently the Long Beach Fire Department has 41 vacancies, which includes 21 vacant front-line firefighter positions. While most of the positions are filled by deploying existing Fire staff on an overtime basis, this is not an optimum nor desired long-term strategy.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
GARY DELONG, COUNCILMEMBER, 3RD DISTRICT
ROBERT GARCIA, COUNCILMEMBER 1ST DISTRICT
SUJA LOWENTHAL, COUNCILMEMBER 2ND DISTRICT
VICE MAYOR VAL LERCH, COUNCILMEMBER 9TH DISTRICT