23,307 / 55.5% Yes votes ...... 18,692 / 44.5% No votes

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In accordance with the Charter of the City of Stockton, entry level/original appointments to the position of Firefighter are currently subject to a probationary period of twelve (12) months. According to the City's Memorandum of Understanding with Stockton Firefighter's Local 456, "The probationary period shall be utilized for closely observing the employee's work, for securing the most effective adjustment of the employee to his/her position, and for eliminating any probationary employee whose performance does not meet the required standards of work."

Traditionally, appointees to the position of Firefighter have spent the first twelve (12) weeks of employment enrolled in the Firefighter Academy. On May 16, 2002, the Stockton Fire Department extended the Firefighter Academy from twelve (12) weeks to sixteen (16) weeks. Once a probationary employee graduates from the Academy, he/she is placed in tours of duty at various fire companies and works under the direct supervision of various Fire Captains. The Captains, in addition to providing additional training, evaluate each probationary employee working under their direction on a monthly basis to determine whether the probationary employee will be granted permanent status or rejected from employment during the probationary period.

The Memorandum of Understanding for the Stockton Firefighter's Local 456 also requires the Personal Services Director to notify the appointing authority (City Manager) whether a probationary employee will be granted permanent status or rejected from employment at least four (4) weeks prior to the termination of the probationary period. Consequently, the Fire Department must complete the final evaluation of a probationary employee no later than the end of the eleventh (11th) month of the probationary period.

This measure would increase the probationary period for original/entry level appointees to the position of Firefighter from twelve (12) months to eighteen (18 ) months, thereby allowing the Fire Department additional time in which to evaluate a probationary Firefighter and determine whether the employee will be afforded permanent status or rejected from

THE ABOVE STATEMENT IS AN IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE Y. If you desire a copy of the measure, please call the Stockton City Clerk's office at (209) 937-8459, and a copy will be mailed to you at no cost.

City of Stockton

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The proposed 18-month probationary period would give Fire Captains adequate time to evaluate each Firefighter's progress. The current, 12-month probationary period shortchanges our Fire Captain's ability to train and evaluate.

Many California fire departments use an 18-month probation period for its new Firefighters, as does the Stockton Police Department for their entry level Police Officers. The Stockton Fire Department and the Stockton Firefighters Local 456 support the change in probationary period.

There is no added cost to Measure Y.

We respectfully urge your support.

Submitted by:

/s/ Gary Podesto, Stockton City Mayor /s/ Richard Gohlke, Stockton Civil Service Commissioner /s/ Carl Eck, Deputy Chief, Stockton Fire Department

(No arguments against Measure Y were submitted)