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Springfield fire departments currently occupied was similar to many of the same jurisdictions they would <br />be compared to as a merged organization. He noted that Senate Bill 750 had resulted in certain <br />restrictions on public collective bargaining processes and that the Eugene and Springfield departments <br />were limited in the number and nature of markets to which they could compare themselves. <br />Mr. Zelenka noted his concern that large unforeseen pay discrepancies between the two jurisdictions <br />might wipe out any potential savings. <br />Mr. Zelenka asked if the efficiencies regarding the proposed consolidation had been quantified in any <br />way. Chief Groves responded that certain quantifications regarding training efficiencies had already been <br />quantified and enumerated. <br />Ms. Taylor believed that certain training and purchasing efficiencies might be achieved between the two <br />jurisdictions without formally consolidating them. <br />Ms. Taylor was concerned that the functional consolidation of the two fire departments would result in <br />"more governments" and that it would be harder for the public to be involved in such processes. <br />Ms. Taylor asked if the functional consolidation would result in a significantly increased work load for <br />Chief Groves. Chief Groves believed that the consolidation might change the focus of some of his duties <br />as fire chief but that his overall workload would remain about the same. He added that some of his <br />responsibilities might be assumed by deputy chiefs of the consolidated fire department, but that it would <br />not be necessary to add completely new deputy chief positions. <br />Chief Groves, responding to a comment from Ms. Taylor, stated that no pay raise for his position had <br />been built into the plans for the functional consolidation process for the two fire departments. <br />Chief Groves, responding to a question from Ms. Taylor, noted that the chief of the consolidated fire <br />department would report to the City Managers of both Eugene and Springfield. Ms. Taylor maintained <br />that such an organizational structure sounded complicated. <br />Chief Groves, responding to a comment from Ms. Taylor, maintained that although the fire departments <br />of Eugene and Springfield had provided very good service separately, the functional consolidation would <br />allow for even greater improvements. <br />Mr. Ruiz noted that the enhanced training protocols for a consolidated fire department would result in a <br />significant number of increased efficiencies. <br />Ms. Taylor asked for an example of the operational efficiencies that were expected from the functional <br />consolidation. Chief Groves responded that the implementation of the Three-Battalion system had <br />created a "managed web of coverage" and had already resulted in faster emergency response times in both <br />jurisdictions. <br />Chief Groves noted that merged training functions would also result in a number of efficiencies for a <br />consolidated fire department. <br />Ms. Taylor noted her concern that the future development and growth of Springfield over a larger <br />geographic area might mean it would take more time and money for a consolidated fire department to <br />respond to emergencies. Chief Groves responded that as the territories and population of Springfield <br />grew in the future, newer fire department stations would be added into the fire department. He added that <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council January 20, 2010 Page 4 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br />