Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 071012

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Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 071012

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-480-07

Control: County Commission

File Name: MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ACADEMY OF FIRE RESCUE

Introduced: 3/30/2007

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 4/24/2007

Agenda Date: 4/24/2007

Agenda Item Number: 11A59

Notes:

Title:

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ACADEMY OF FIRE RESCUE, PROVIDING FOR EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE, AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE REQUIRED FUTURE AGREEMENTS AND TO RECOMMEND BUDGETARY FUNDING TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF THIS PROGRAM

Indexes:

FIRE COLLEGE TRAINING FACILITIES

Sponsors:	Barbara J. Jordan, Prime Sponsor
	Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Co-Sponsor
	Carlos A. Gimenez, Co-Sponsor
	Joe A. Martinez, Co-Sponsor
	Dennis C. Moss, Co-Sponsor
	Rebeca Sosa, Co-Sponsor
	Dorrin D. Rolle, Co-Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners	4/24/2007	11A59	Adopted				P
REPORT:	Commissioner Jordan explained the intent of the foregoing proposed resolution. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Herminio Lorenzo, appeared before the Board, and noted the presence of the first graduates of the first sanctioned firefighter high school academy in the State of Florida, Miami-Dade County Academy of Fire Rescue. He acknowledged and introduced the North Miami Senior High School Principal Dr. Carnell White, Ms. Lauren Zelniker, First Responder Lead Teacher and students. He proceeded to provide an overview of the curriculum and criteria for students to participate in this program. The Board by motion duly made, seconded and carried, adopted the foregoing proposed resolution as presented. Commissioner Gimenez commended Commissioner Jordan and noted his co-sponsorship of this proposed resolution. He noted the possibility of developing this type program for the Miami-Dade Corrections and Police Departments. Commissioner Moss commended Commissioner Jordan and asked that he be listed as a co-sponsor. Commissioner Rolle commended Commissioner Jordan, Dr. White, and others involved for their efforts in the success of this program. He asked that he be listed as a co-sponsor. Commissioner Sosa spoke in support of expanding this type of program to the other County departments noted by Commissioner Gimenez. Commissioner Jordan noted that the County Attorney’s Office was already in the process of preparing the appropriate legislation to implement this program for the Corrections and Police departments. She pointed out that these types of programs would prepare our youth for future employment with County government. MDFR Chief Lorenzo noted the support of the County Manager and others from the department who assisted in this program. Dr. White expressed appreciation to the Board for its support of this program.

Health and Public Safety Committee	4/12/2007	2F	Forwarded to the BCC by the BCC Chairperson with a favorable recommendation				P
REPORT:	Responding to Commissioner Gimenez’ inquiry regarding the location of this program, Commissioner Jordan advised that upon the Board’s approval of last year’s budget for this pilot program, it was determined that this program should be conducted at a location that was ready to go. She stated the pilot program was located at North Miami Senior High School. Commissioner Jordan noted that upon approval of the foregoing proposed resolution, plans were underway to expand the academy to those schools that had been assessed with adequate student populations and sciences in place, beginning with tenth graders. Miami-Dade Fire Chief Herminio Lorenzo appeared before the Committee and explained the process for creating the foregoing proposed academy of fire rescue pilot program through the County and the School Board in 2005. He stated that currently the pilot program consisted of 36 junior and senior students at the North Miami Senior High School. Chief Lorenzo noted that upon the students’ graduation from the program at the high school, they could continue in the program at Miami-Dade College and obtain their Firefighter II certification, as well as their Emergency Medical Treatment (EMT) certification. He summarized the process for application and acceptance into the program. In response to Commissioner Gimenez’ inquiry regarding the ethnic breakdown of the current students, Chief Lorenzo stated that all students currently in the program were African American. In response to Commissioner Sosa’s comment regarding the shortage of police and correctional officers, Commissioner Jordan advised that she had already asked the County Attorney to be prepared to expand this type of program to academies for police and corrections. Commissioner Sosa announced her desire to co-sponsor any items related to expanding this program to those service areas. Commissioner Diaz spoke in support of this program and requested to be added as a co-sponsor to this resolution and future related items. In response to Commissioner Gimenez’ concerns, Chief Lorenzo noted that since this program was becoming so popular, it would be necessary to limit the number of participants through a selection process. He explained that, from the onset, this program was based on the entire public safety environment, including dispatch 911 operators, fire inspectors, police and corrections departments, and any other health and safety service agencies. Chief Lorenzo pointed out that efforts were underway to make the program beneficial to the community. Commissioner Gimenez asked Chief Lorenzo to engage in dialogue with fire departments and other agencies within the various municipalities and encourage them to participate in this program. Commissioner Gimenez asked that Fire Chief Lorenzo also provide a report on the availability of Medicare and Medicaid Insurance reimbursements for transporting patients by Air Rescue. Commissioner Heyman asked Chief Lorenzo, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, to come up with some logistical numbers for costs associated with rescue responses to accidents (i.e., ambulatory and air rescue transport, etc.). She also asked Chief Lorenzo to prepare a report for Committee review on fees charged in the different jurisdictions as a reference point. Chairman Moss asked staff to prepare the appropriate memorandum requesting the County Commission's Chairman, Bruno A. Barreiro, to waive the Committee's rules and allow the foregoing proposed resolution to be heard at the April 24, 2007 County Commission meeting. There being no further discussion, the Committee proceeded to vote.

County Attorney	3/30/2007		Assigned	William X. Candela

County Attorney	3/30/2007		Referred	Health and Public Safety Committee	4/12/2007

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ACADEMY OF FIRE RESCUE, PROVIDING FOR EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE, AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE REQUIRED FUTURE AGREEMENTS AND TO RECOMMEND BUDGETARY FUNDING TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF THIS PROGRAM

BODY
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department has a strong commitment to hire qualified firefighter applicants that reflect the diversity of our community; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department has initiated an aggressive and transparent recruitment program to encourage applicants to apply for firefighter positions; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department has further enhanced recruitment efforts by establishing in August 2006 the first sanctioned firefighter high school academy in the State of Florida to facilitate the inclusion of high school students into careers in the fire service; and
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue District Budget for FY 2006 -2007 included an allocation of $500,000 to support the operation of the Miami-Dade County Academy of Fire Rescue; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County and Miami-Dade County Public Schools desire to provide senior high school students with an appropriate Career Experience Opportunity program to reinforce acquisition of employability skills; and

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Miami-Dade County fully supports the establishment of the Miami-Dade County Academy of Fire Rescue,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA that this Board hereby approves continued enhancement to the Miami-Dade County Academy of Fire Rescue and authorizes the County Mayor or his designee to execute a cooperative agreement with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools in furtherance of this program. The County Mayor or his designee is additionally authorized to establish an employment preference, execute appropriate agreements for Academy education, training and accreditation purposes and to recommend budgetary funding for this beneficial program as part of the annual budgetary process.