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Scottsdale firefighters will soon see added benefits for their service thanks to a new agreement with Maricopa County Community College District.
The Scottsdale City Council approved on consent an agreement with MCCCD that would allow Scottsdale Fire Department staff to receive college credit for their training and education programs. Council made the authorization at its April 21 meeting.
City staff say SFD’s training and education programs --- such as firefighter recruit training, fire science and other courses required for promotion --- meet the minimum course competencies for community college courses. Through the agreement, firefighters can earn credit from Mesa Community College.
City staff also see a benefit of the agreement being these courses are taught with meaningful connections to the Scottsdale community and are in line with city policies and procedures.
Furthermore, Scottsdale Fire Department Training and Development staff, or someone they designate, would still continue to teach these courses as well as the use of city facilities and resources.
SFD employees who decide to participate would need to register as MCC students through the Fire Department Training and Development Division.
The school would then invoice the department for the cost of the college credits while SFD would also invoice MCC for the instruction and facilities. City staff believe these numbers will be offsetting, resulting in no impact in no cost to either entity.
This move comes with the city anticipating the retirement of many within the fire department’s ranks. At an Oct. 15, 2019 meeting, the City Council approved the hiring of six new full-time equivalent positions in anticipation of an 85% attrition of its workforce from 2020-25.
The city announced their plans to hire as a way to get ahead of the retirements and minimize the impact of having a less-experienced staff.
Back in October, city staff didn’t anticipate new recruits completing their academy training or deployment until late May to early June.
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