Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05072013 - FPD D.1RECOMMENDATION(S): APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief to continue implementation of the Service Reduction and Fire Station Closure Plan pursuant to approval of the Fiscal Yeal 2013/14 Recommended Special District Budget by the Fire Board of Directors on April 23, 2013. FISCAL IMPACT: Implementation of the County Administrator’s 2013-14 Recommended Special District Budget will result in a projected savings of $3.05 million. BACKGROUND: Historically, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (District) has staffed 30 companies at 28 stations on a full time basis. In January 2011, one of the two fire companies at Fire Station 1 in Walnut Creek was de-staffed and in July 2012 one of the two fire companies at Fire Station 6 in Concord was also de-staffed. In November 2012, the District had a ballot measure on the General Election ballot to augment District revenue for the continued provision of fire suppression services. The ballot measure was not approved by the voters, resulting in the closure of four fire stations. Because APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 05/07/2013 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, Director Candace Andersen, Director Mary N. Piepho, Director Karen Mitchoff, Director Federal D. Glover, Director Contact: Fire Chief Daryl Louder, 941-3500 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: May 7, 2013 David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: D.1 To:Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Board of Directors From:Daryl L. Louder, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Date:May 7, 2013 Contra Costa County Subject:Fiscal Year 2013-14 Service Reductions and Fire Station Closures BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) expenditure increases continue to outpace growth in ad valorem property tax receipts – the District’s primary source of operating revenue - the County Administrator’s 2013-14 Recommended Special District Budget includes the closure of two additional fire stations, resulting in a projected savings of $3.05 million. Under the recommendation, one station would be closed in July 2013 and another station would be closed in January 2014. These additional service reductions will have an adverse impact on response times, operational capacity, the District’s ability to protect and serve the community, and firefighter safety. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: The District will continue operating with a 24 engine company model, which requires use of all remaining fund balance available in the District's Operating Fund and a draw of $571,475 from the District’s Pension Obligation Bond (POB) Stabilization Fund. This scenario would result in the District entering fiscal year 2014-15 with no fund balance available in the Operating Fund and an estimated $3.4 million in the POB Stabilization Fund. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: None. CLERK'S ADDENDUM Speakers:  Vincent Wells, President Firefighters' Local 1230.  ATTACHMENTS FY-13-14 Service Reduction and Fire Station Closure Plan FY-2013/2014Service Reduction and Fire Station Closure Plan1 Global recessionThe District’s revenue is primarily based on property tax assessments which have decreased significantly since 2008 The District does not have a diverse revenue streamPersonnel costs account for 89% of budgetHealth care costs increasedPension contributions increased due to market losses, de-pooling, and continue to rise due to assumption rate reductionsRDA “dissolution” has reduced revenue. Measure Q failed to achieve “super majority”2 Concessions by all personnel - (10% salary reduction, lower starting salaries, increased health care and pension contributions)Non-operational positions held vacantEliminated positions and laid off employeesControlled non-minimum staffing overtimeDeferred capital (fleet and facilities) purchases Reduced operating costs and discretionary spendingLeveraged grants for staffing and equipmentUtilized $25M in reserve funds to maintain serviceDe-staffed six operational units since January 2011 Structural Reform – pensions, terminal leave, OPEB3 Goal: Travel time of 5 minutes 90 % of the time (General Plan). NFPA recommends a response time of 6 minutes 90% of the time NFPA requires an adequate firefighting force (16-personnel) on-scene within 10 minutesCurrent response time with 24companies is 7:22 minutes. 90 percentile time is 10:07 minutes (Q1 – 2013)4 5 Close a fire station in July (5thstation) and an additional station in January Conduct community meetings in the effected areas Savings – Approximately $3.3M Impact – Reduced service delivery and public safety Alter operational strategies and tactics to adjust to reduced resources Continue to monitor response times, impact, and service delivery options6 Leverage automatic/mutual aid, and private sector partnersWork to develop and implement an EMS-only (paramedic and EMT or 2- EMTs) unit in some or all of the affected stations during peak call volume time periods of 8 A.M. to 8 P.M.Limit the response to some non-life threatening emergencies and public service calls Enhanced use of dynamic resource deployment, e.g. posting Utilize software to evaluate optimal fire station locations and response configurationsReengineer training, apparatus maintenance, support functions7 Community threat/riskCall volumeAbility of adjoining fire stations to “absorb” the call volume and work loadProximity of adjoining automatic and mutual aid fire stations Transportation corridorsImpact on response times for the entire District8 Fire Station #87 – 800 W. Lealand Road, PittsburgFire Station #? –9 Fire Station Response Time OpenResponse Time ClosedDifference in Response TimeIncidents 11/1/11 –10/31/124 (Walnut Creek)11 (Clayton)12 (Martinez)16 (Lafayette)99%83%71%58%62%42%49%8%-37%-41%-21%-50%5989081,04368087 (Pittsburg) 66% 44% -22% 1,388*Based on 6-minute response time10 Fire Station Alternate Station Response Time DistanceFS-86 5:00 minutes 2.4 milesFS-84 6:00 minutes 2.9 miles11 •FIRST ENGINE DISPATCH TO ON SCENE <= 6:00 : 47%. AVG. 5:23.•ADD 1ADDITIONAL MINUTE FOR DISPATCH PROCESSING•FIRST ENGINE DISPATCH TO ON SCENE <= 6:00 : 14%. AVG. 6:42.•ADD 1 ADDITIONAL MINUTE FOR DISPATCH PROCESSING12 24 - Stations in Optimal Locations Based on Historical Incident Data13 •FIRST ENGINE DISPATCH TO ON-SCENE <= 6:00 : 68.89%. AVG. 5:28•ADD 1ADDITIONAL MINUTE FOR DISPATCH PROCESSING•FIRST ENGINE DISPATCH TO ON-SCENE <= 6:00 : 68.5%. AVG. 5:29.•ADD 1 ADDITIONAL MINUTE FOR DISPATCH PROCESSING14 Sharply declining property tax revenue and increasing costs have created a “fiscal crisis” for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection DistrictCost-cutting efforts have been implemented and reserve funds are exhausted; however, additional savings are necessary Eight (8) units and six (6) fire stations are scheduled to be de-staffed by January 2014Additional fire stations will need to be closed in FY-14/15 unless revenue is enhanced15