CC 2018-03-13_12c Budget Direction - Fire and Emergency Services PP Presentation
Budget Direction – Fire and Emergency Services
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Five Cities Fire Authority
Participating in a Joint Powers Agreement since 2010
Arroyo Grande
Grover Beach
Oceano Community Services District
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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.”
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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
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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.
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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
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The FCFA Budget Process
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Policy Analysis Thoughts
Context
Key Goals
Response Times
Staffing Levels
Regional Cooperation
Cost
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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A Fresh Look
Cost of Entry
Areas of efficiencies through a JPA
Parity and the results of using the current cost allocation
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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%
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FY 2017-18 FCFA Contributions
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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.
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Potential JPA Savings Areas
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Grover Beach
4,935 parcels
Oceano
2,444 parcels
Arroyo Grande
6,959 parcels
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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.
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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.
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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.
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