Poudre Fire Authority Uses Kronos TeleStaff Solution for Easier, Consistent Staffing

Kronos TeleStaff Benefits

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“The Kronos TeleStaff solution has fit a void in the fire service and has benefited our department in many ways. I would highly recommend this product to any department.” — Captain Gilbert Fisher, Poudre Fire Authority

• Automates scheduling
• Speeds scheduling communications
• Supports client-specific configuration
• Improves operational efficiency
• Increases staffing accuracy
• Helps ensure compliance
• Controls labor costs
• Promotes employee satisfaction
• Integrates with the Kronos workforce management suite
• Integrates with third-party systems

Poudre Fire Authority at a Glance

Industry: County Fire

Location: Colorado, USA

Employees: 170

Service Area: 220 square miles

CHALLENGES

Organized in 1981 with the consolidation of the City of Fort Collins and the Poudre Valley Fire Departments, Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) is dedicated to the protection of the lives, property, and quality of life of citizens living in these communities. In addition to providing fire protection and emergency services, PFA addresses a variety of wildland and Wildlife Urban Interface (WUI) threats throughout its district that demand constant attention and dependable employee staffing.

Staffing shifts at Poudre Fire Authority was a time-consuming task that was frustrating and costly. Battalion chiefs were spending excessive time on the phone hiring for positions and communicating assignment changes to PFA staff. Additional staffing frustrations that impeded the department included inconsistency in the staffing process, lack of an effective sign-up process, and time constraints in completing the daily shift roster.

SOLUTION

To solve these issues, Poudre Fire Authority selected the Kronos® TeleStaff™ solution to automate its staffing process and free up time for employees.

BENEFITS

An immediate - and continuous - ROI

Poudre Fire Authority went live with the Kronos TeleStaff solution within six months of purchase and found an immediate return on its investment. Seven years later, PFA stands by its investment in the automated staffing solution that has eliminated the department’s excessive staffing workload.

Automated staffing speeds communication and delivers efficiencies

Battalion chiefs are no longer spending hours on the phone every day lining up staff. The Kronos TeleStaff solution’s telephony system, which incorporates inbound and outbound phone lines, has streamlined the PFA staffing communication process.

The system automatically contacts qualified candidates about upcoming or immediate assignment changes, as well as distributes messages and overtime opportunities. Battalion chiefs can focus their time elsewhere now, with far less time spent completing daily shift rosters.

Tailored configuration helps ensure staffing compliance

During implementation, the Kronos TeleStaff system was configured to include the Poudre Fire Authority’s staffing rules. In selecting the correct people to call in for work, the system automatically selects staff in an order that is in accordance with the department’s staffing policies and procedures. Staffing inconsistencies are no longer a concern at the department.

Self-service benefits and equitable overtime

PFA employees can access their schedules in the Kronos Tele-Staff system, as well as sign up for overtime opportunities, request schedule changes, and make time-off requests. The automated system helps make sure that overtime is awarded fairly and equitably, and employees enjoy having ready access to their scheduling information.

Smooth integration with third-party payroll system

Streamlining the flow of staffing information to the department’s JD Edwards® payroll system is an added benefit. The Kronos TeleStaff solution transfers staffing information into the payroll system so payroll personnel aren’t burdened with piles of staffing paperwork or hours of data entry, which sometimes resulted in errors with the manual system.

Designed for growth and supporting public safety

The Kronos TeleStaff solution was developed to specifically meet the needs of the public safety industry. For Poudre Valley Fire Authority, the solution continues to serve and grow with the department.

More information about Kronos customer success stories may be found at www.kronos.com/resources. © 2011, Kronos Incorporated. Kronos and the Kronos logo are registered trademarks of Kronos Incorporated or a related company. TeleStaff is a trademark of Kronos Incorporated or a related company. For a full list of Kronos trademarks, please visit the “trademarks” page at www.kronos.com. All other product, company names, or marks mentioned, if any, are used for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective owners. All specifications are subject to change. All rights reserved.