FROM: Colin Bishop, Chief of Member Services
SUBJECT: Returning Retiree Certification: Timothy O'Connell
RECOMMENDATION:
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Approve the request to extend employment of Timothy O'Connell from August 30, 2019 to February 28, 2021 because an extreme necessity exists to continue the retiree's employment beyond the 18-month limit, and thus the standards of SBCERA Board Administration Policy No. 015: "Retirees Returning to Work," have been met.
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BACKGROUND:
Mr. O'Connell retired on October 31, 2015 and was re-employed as Paid Call Firefighter (PCF) for the County of San Bernardino at Station 99 in Forest Falls since retiring.
In August 2017, the Fire Department filed for an extension for Mr. O'Connell to continue working until August 29, 2019, and SBCERA staff granted the extension, consistent with the existing policy. In April 2018, the Board approved the updated version 2.0 of Policy No. 015, which changed some of the processes for reviewing and permitting extensions for retirees returning to work, notably adding a provision for Board approval where the period of employment was either not specified or greater than 18 months.
The department is now requesting Mr. O'Connell continue employment as a PCF for an additional 18 months. All County Fire PCF's are volunteers who must meet requirements that are much the same of that of a fulltime career firefighter. They are paid minimum wage for all training hours and calls they respond to.
Over the past four years, Mr. O'Connell has worked an average of 208 hours per fiscal year and responded to an average of five fire-related calls per year. Station 99 averages approximately 270 service calls per year. Mr. O'Connell is a certified Firefighter 2, licensed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), holds numerous certifications including Dynamic Rescue and Chief Officer, and holds a Class "A" Driver's License allowing him to drive certain fire equipment.
As a PCF, Mr. O'Connell also provides critical respons...
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