Loading...
CC 2018-03-13_12c Budget Direction - Fire and Emergency Services PP Presentation Budget Direction – Fire and Emergency Services 3/13/2018 1 Five Cities Fire Authority Participating in a Joint Powers Agreement since 2010 Arroyo Grande Grover Beach Oceano Community Services District 3/13/2018 2 Citygate Study Stand Alone Fire Departments are “not cost effective, nor will stand alone services have the technical depth needed in a world that grows more technical, complex and regulated every year. While all the partners in this study are providing some level of fire services today, if the communities were to pool their efforts, they could cost effectively operate a full service agency, meeting everyone’s needs more effectively.” 3/13/2018 3 Successes Improved service Consistent Well trained Closest resource response Unified training standards Consolidation of administrative staff Joint purchasing efficiencies Avoided costly duplication of equipment and services Saved Arroyo Grande $600,000+ in 5 years 3/13/2018 4 Change Ahead Cost increases in status quo service budget CalPERS pension costs Workers compensation Cost increases in implementing the FCFA strategic plan Proactive Difficult for all jurisdictions to manage cost increases under either of the two drivers at the current service levels. 3/13/2018 5 3/13/2018 6 Tonight’s Goals Clear development and communication of the City’s needs related to fire and emergency services Response times Minimum staffing Cost expectations Regional Cooperation These answers will: Assist Council Member Harmon as she works through the FCFA process The City Manager in preparing a draft budget Prepare the City to be proactive in adapting to the upcoming changes 3/13/2018 7 The FCFA Budget Process 3/13/2018 8 Policy Analysis Thoughts Context Key Goals Response Times Staffing Levels Regional Cooperation Cost 3/13/2018 9 Key Goals – Fire Response Prior to arrival of emergency crews Prevent fires from starting Notify responders Alert and remove people from the area Keep small fires small After arrival of emergency crews Rescue trapped people Keep fire contained to the room of origin Keep fire contained to the building of origin Keep fire contained to the area of origin 3/13/2018 10 Key Goals – EMS Response Prior to arrival of emergency crews Scene safety Bystander first aid (airway, breathing, circulation) / Hands Only CPR Notify responders After arrival of emergency crews Basic life support Advanced life support Transport to hospital for appropriate care 3/13/2018 11 Response Times Policy S3-3 Readiness and Response Maintain and improve the Fire Department’s ability to respond to emergency calls and suppress fires throughout the City within a maximum response time of six (6) minutes. Implementation Measures: Program S3-3.1 Prepare and work to achieve a maximum of six (6) minutes response time goal. This maximum response time will be based upon density of development, and the value at risk contrasted with an acceptable level of risk. More concentrated urban uses should be within four (4) minutes response time. 3/13/2018 12 3/13/2018 13 Staffing Level Directly related to: Employee safety Achievement of key response goals Minimum staffing level 3 person engine company Allows adequate emergency rescue activities before the entire team is assembled Allows adequate personnel for a critical patient Allows adequate personnel for rescue operations 3/13/2018 14 Regional Cooperation Single station departments are only able to function fully due to cooperation with neighboring, regional, and sometimes statewide fire agencies. In short – We rely on our neighbors and they rely on us. 3/13/2018 15 A Fresh Look Cost of Entry Areas of efficiencies through a JPA Parity and the results of using the current cost allocation 3/13/2018 16 FCFA Cost Distribution Formula 25% based on the population 25% based on the proportion of assessed property value 25% based on fixed proportion - service levels at inception of JPA 25% based on proportion of service calls Arroyo Grande 47%; Grover Beach 34%; Oceano 19% 3/13/2018 17 FY 2017-18 FCFA Contributions 3/13/2018 18 Outcomes Economic Realities There is a minimum cost to take the field. Efficiency of scale that improve the distribution of cost In some situations the current allocation may be difficult to justify. 3/13/2018 19 Potential JPA Savings Areas 3/13/2018 20 3/13/2018 Grover Beach 4,935 parcels Oceano 2,444 parcels Arroyo Grande 6,959 parcels 21 Key Assumption and Result Assumption – Each community wants a station in their community. Using the cost allocation formula to increase staffing or purchase new basic engine company equipment places the largest burden on Arroyo Grande than the other communities. 3/13/2018 22 3/13/2018 23 CAL FIRE Similar situation in Cayucos (6 FTE’s) = $1,513,684 per year. FCFA of equivalent staffing (3 Captains and 3 Firefighters) = $811,500. Need to consider other add-ons Using only the Cayucos proposal as a guide, staff does not believe that a CAL FIRE contract would result in a cost savings. 3/13/2018 24 RECOMMENDATION It is recommended the City Council:   Continue under the adopted policy to “Maintain and improve the Fire Department’s ability to respond to emergency calls and suppress fires throughout the City within a maximum response time of six (6) minutes… More concentrated urban uses should be within four (4) minutes response time;” Continue to support the transition to full-time firefighters and three (3) person staffing; (Captain, Engineer, and Firefighter on each shift); and Provide direction to the City Manager, as part of the current budget process regarding the Council’s expectations for service levels and thoughts on the most cost effective way to provide those services. 3/13/2018 25