Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the acceptance of $499,379 from the University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, and amends the Fire Department’s (MFD) 2024 adopted operating budget by the same amount. Funding will be used for the Firefighter/ EMT Development Program, a three-year program designed to hire, educate, and train four interns with the intent to further diversify the workforce at MFD and to increase economic stability in the community. Two individuals will be hired in 2024 and two in 2025. Each intern will be compensated at $17.50 per hour, with benefits, along with their school supplies, textbooks, and tuition, all paid for by the grant funding. The awarded funding does not require a city match and at the end of the grant period the program will be suspended unless new funding sources can be identified. There is no impact on the levy at this time.
Title
Amending the 2024 adopted operating budget for the City of Madison Fire Department to accept $499,379 from the University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Office of the Wisconsin Partnership Program (WPP) for the City of Madison Firefighter/EMT Development Program.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Madison Fire Department (MFD) applied for a Community Impact Grant in 2023 from the Wisconsin Partnership Program (WPP) within the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, which is committed to improving health and advancing health equity in Wisconsin through investments in research, education, and community partnerships;
WHEREAS, MFD was awarded the Community Impact Grant Level Two grant award for its proposal for a Firefighter/EMT Development Program;
WHEREAS, the Firefighter/EMT Development Program is a three-year program, June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2027, designed to hire, educate, and train four (4) interns to further diversify the workforce at MFD and to increase economic stability in our community;
WHEREAS, each intern will spend 40 hours a week splitting their time between on-the-job training at MFD, classroom instruction at Madison College, intern work at MFD, and experiential shadowing at MFD with the goal of graduating with an associate degree in paramedicine or fire science and successfully earning a position on the MFD eligibility list for placement in a recruit academy at the conclusion of the internship program;
WHEREAS, the first milestone of the internship pathway is the successful recruitment of a diverse class, hiring two individuals in 2024 and two individuals in 2025. The pathway will be advertised through a combination of formal announcements, grassroots marketing with community partners, and campaigns with Madison College and the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD). Qualified applicants will complete a series of structured interviews with a panel developed from fire administration, program mentors, program committee members from Fire Fighters Local 311, and leaders of community partner organizations. The highest-ranking candidates will be offered a spot in the firefighter/EMT development program;
WHEREAS, each intern will be compensated at $17.50 per hour, with benefits, along with their school supplies, textbooks, and tuition paid for by the grant funding;
WHEREAS, MFD will receive $499,379 from the Wisconsin Partnership Program and will also receive technical direction from the WPP Executive Director and technical assistance from the University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health;
WHEREAS, the WPP grant funding does not require a cash match or cost sharing from the City of Madison;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Madison Fire Department’s 2024 adopted operating budget is amended to appropriate $499,379.00 as private donation revenue in the Fire Operations service and to increase salaries, benefits, supplies, and purchased services in a commensurate amount;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Madison formally accepts $499,379.00 from the Wisconsin Partnership Program and that the City of Madison Fire Chief is hereby authorized to accept, sign, and execute a memorandum of understanding between the City of Madison Fire Department and the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System on behalf of the University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Office of the Wisconsin Partnership Program (WPP).