DATE: November 5, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Fire Department
TITLE: APPROVAL OF THIRTY (30) NEW FUELS CREW MEMBER POSITIONS IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND RECLASSIFICATION OF THE HAND CREW PROGRAM BUDGET
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council approve the creation of thirty (30) Provisional Fuels Crew Member hourly extra-help positions under the existing Hand Crew Program (Measure X budget); approve the new classification and salary; and authorize the reclassification of the FY 2025-26 Hand Crew Program appropriation of $300,000 to the appropriate object codes.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Oceanside Fire Department is creating the Hand Crew Program to strengthen the City's wildfire prevention and response capabilities. The program is designed to reduce hazardous fuels, manage vegetation, and provide additional support during wildland fire incidents.
The program is supported through $300,000 in Measure X funding and $100,000 in grant funding, which will provide startup costs to establish the necessary infrastructure and resources. The Hand Crew Program budget includes personnel services, materials, and supplies needed to maintain operations. The Fire Department is requesting approval to establish thirty (30) extra-help Fuels Crew Member positions and to reclassify the program budget accordingly. These extra-help positions will be hired on an hourly, project basis and supervised by a full-time Fire Captain who will oversee leadership, training, operations, and accountability. Upon establishment, Provisional Fuels Crew Members will be compensated at an hourly rate of $18.50 (Step A).
The request for 30 positions is intended to create a pool of eligible workers to account for turnover and varying personnel availability. The crew will work on an intermittent basis, with different groups assigned as projects arise. This structure ensures the program remains within the allotted budget, supplemented by any revenue...
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