The Harrison Township Fire Department was a key subject at the June 12 Board of Trustees meeting. A new firefighter was given a job offer, overtime pay was made more available and truck repairs were funded.
By: Dean Vaglia | Mount Clemens-Clinton-Harrison Journal | Published June 20, 2023
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — The Harrison Township Board of Trustees turned its attention to the Fire Department at the board’s June 12 meeting, focusing on both personnel and equipment needs of the department.
First up was the hiring of a new Harrison Township Fire Department firefighter/paramedic, Colton Ociepka, who came into the position with much enthusiasm from the fire chief.
“We had an excellent candidate apply,” Harrison Township Fire Chief David Bostater said. “We put him through an oral board interview. He had a composite score of 90.3. He’s fresh out of the fire academy in Macomb. He’s also fresh out of paramedic school. He’s pretty green but also did ride-alongs with us in the Fire Department, and he was really impressed by how we operate as a fire department. He wants to work exclusively in Harrison Township and for Harrison Township Fire Department after having done ride-alongs with other communities, so that’s a real feather in the cap for all of our firefighters.”
Ociepka’s offer of employment — depending on his acceptance of the offer, passing a physical, passing background checks and completing a probationary period — comes at a time when the department has four firefighters who are nearing retirement eligibility and are expected to do so. Given the challenging environment for hiring firefighters, trustees approved a memorandum of understanding put forth by the International Association of Fire Fighters local 1737 to address the incoming period of minimum staffing.
Under the memorandum approved by the board, firefighters will be eligible for overtime pay rates for all overtime hours worked. This is a departure from what is normally in the collective bargaining agreement, which only allows for overtime pay after working 200 hours within 28 days.
“This is an incentive to encourage folks coming in on their days off because they recognize that during these critical staffing times they will be paid at the time-and-a-half rate,” Harrison Township Supervisor Ken Verkest said.
The memorandum will remain in effect until Dec. 31, during which time it will be determined how much the overtime incentives cost in case they are added to future collective bargaining agreements.
Finally, the board approved repairs to the department’s Engine 2. Normally the reserve engine, a torsion arm control failure rendered the Pierce engine inoperable.
“It’s a proprietary part by Pierce Manufacturing,” Bostater said. “They had one in stock. We had them put it on hold immediately.”
The repair will be performed by R&R Fire Truck Repair Inc. in Northville for just under $6,100, with the motion funding the repairs allowing for work up to $7,000.
Other business
In other business addressed on June 12, trustees set aside up to $10,000 for drain cleanouts in the township. Macomb County Deputy Public Works Commissioner Dan Acciavatti estimated the cost of drain cleanouts for 2023 at between $10,000 and $15,000.
The township’s contract with website host Revize was also renewed for the next five years for a $2,000 annual fee. Revize will perform a refresh of the township’s website to make sure everything works properly.
Kent Communications Inc. will be paid up to $21,000 to print and mail the township’s tax bills and associated newsletters for the 2023 tax billing year.