Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 07092013 - FPD D.5RECOMMENDATION(S): Consider approving and authorizing the Fire Chief to continue implementation of the Service Reduction and Fire Station Closure Plan due to reductions required in the FY-2013/2014 Budget. (Daryl Louder, Fire Chief) FISCAL IMPACT: The savings associated with the closure of Fire Station 87 in Pittsburg were identified in the Board order authorizing the closure. This report details some of the non-economic, operational impacts of the continued reduction in service level. BACKGROUND: Due to decreasing revenues and increasing benefit costs, the District continues to face severe fiscal challenges. The actions to de-staff seven (7) functional units and close five (5) fire stations (effective July 8th) will result in significantly reduced resources to protect and serve the community. Due to these reductions, the District has no option but to further reduce direct service delivery levels to the community and our response partners. The following operational changes are recommended to reduce and manage the service demands on the Fire District: APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 07/09/2013 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: 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: July 9, 2013 David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: D.5 To:Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Board of Directors From:Daryl L. Louder, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Date:July 9, 2013 Contra Costa County Subject:Implementation of Service Reduction and Fire Station Closure Plan BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) • Commit a maximum of two (2) units to automatic aid per jurisdiction, and a maximum of four (4) District-wide. Station coverage outside of our jurisdiction counts as a unit. When a total of 4 units have been committed to automatic aid the Contra Costa Regional Fire Communications Center (CCRFCC) shall notify the Duty Chief. The Duty Chief will approve or deny any additional “mutual aid” requests. • Trucks/Quints will not be sent to East Contra Costa County Fire (ECC) for automatic aid since they cannot provide a like resource in return. The on-duty Battalion 8 Duty Chief shall approve or deny a mutual aid request from ECC for a Truck/Quint. • Per previous decisions, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CCCFPD) shall not provide station coverage to East Contra Costa County Fire, Pinole Fire, or Rodeo/Hercules Fire. • Dozer-220 and Safety Officer (Training-10) will be removed from responses outside of our jurisdiction. • Low priority (Alpha) emergency medical (EMS) calls, life assists, public service calls, etc. will be placed in a queue to prevent long responses out of the first-due area by neighboring companies. There was discussion about placing “Bravo” level EMS calls in queue as well; however, the Medical Director expressed concern about maintaining a timely response for these “transitional” incidents. o The Fire District is working with the County EMS Agency and American Medical Response (AMR) to implement technical solutions that will allow both response entities to monitor the location and availability of resources. If AMR is in close proximity to an “Alpha or Bravo” (non-life threatening) incident, then Fire resources will not respond. Conversely, if AMR is not in close proximity, Fire will respond to provide patient care until the arrival of AMR. Both entities will continue to respond to the acute life threatening emergencies. o The Medical Director is also working closely with facilities that have trained medical staff on-site to reduce/eliminate emergency responses that can be addressed by the staff. Additionally, Dr. Barger is working to educate staff at other facilities (e.g., shelters) regarding when it is appropriate to utilize 911 and when other options should be utilized. The Fire District has also implemented a number of operational and support changes that do not require authorization by the Board of Directors including: • On multi-unit dispatches, units responding from outside of their “first-due area” or when anticipating extended response times, are to announce where they are responding from. This will enable the first arriving officer to develop a plan based on this information. • When a closer engine company is “passed over” in order to provide a second truck company on required responses; that closer engine company shall be added to the dispatch. • Establish a short-term (several hours) personnel recall list to staff units when we experience significant drawdown of resources. • Create a matrix for the Communications Center that changes the response algorithms when the District reaches specific drawdown levels. As an example, typical five-unit responses would be reduced to three units and low priority calls would be placed on a pending list for service. • A maximum of three (3) units that can be out of service at any given time for routine functions, e.g., training, scheduled apparatus maintenance, etc. • Reduce response to fire alarms in commercial buildings (not residential) to one unit during normal business hours (8am-5pm, Monday thru Friday). • Decentralize support functions (e.g., training, apparatus repairs, etc.) to the fullest extent possible to keep units in their first-due areas and available for response. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: The recommendations detailed in this report may not be implemented. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: NA CLERK'S ADDENDUM Speakers: Jack Verderame , resident of Clayton; Hugh Henderson, Chief, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District; Vince Wells, President, Firefighters' Local 1230.