CC 2015-05-26 Items Rec'd at Mtg. _. :. 1-hinn i l.a,
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, Constant CtI t 1Ct Surv:-y R s is
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Survey Name: Fire Authority Survey
Response Status: Partial &Completed
Filter: None
May 26, 2015 10:48.05 AM
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11.Where do you live? . +
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Number of Response(s) ,_ Response Ratio'
Arroyo Grande 96 54.5%
Grover Beach 25 14.2%
Oceano 8 4.5%
Other 45 25.5%
No Responses 2 1.1%
Total 176 100%
I i
1,2.Where is your business located? .
Number of Response(s) - Response Ratio;
Arroyo Grande 75 42.6%
Grover Beach 39 22.1%
Oceano 5 2.8%
Pismo or Shell Beach 9 5.1%
San Luis Obispo 18 10.2%
Other 27 15.3%
No Responses 3 1.7%
Total 176 100%
13. Do you believe it is important to retain local control of fire and emergency services in order to- 1
maintain the current level of service? . .
- Number of Response(s) Response Ratio
Yes 149 84.6%
No 27 15.3%
No Responses 0 0.0%
Total 176 100%
37 Comment(s)
;4. Do you support sustaining current levels of fire service with the understanding that there will be .
;incremental adjustments from time to time for the financial needs of the Authority?
t
Number of Res_ ponse(s)- Response Ratio'
Yes 148 84.0%
No 26 14.7%
No Responses 2 1.1%
Total 176 100%
26 Comment(s)
i5. Do you believe it is important to invest in the future of the Five Cities-Fire Authority in order to
;meet the evolving needs.for emergency services, including fire equipment replacement, a sustainable
management structure and workforce,fire prevention, and emergency preparedness?
Number of Response(s) - Response Ratio
Yes 149 84.6%
No 25 14.2%
No Responses 2 1.1%
Total 176 100%
39 Comment(s)
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Comment(s)for:
3 *Do you believe it is Important to retain local control of fire and emergency services in
order to maintain the,current level of service?
37 Responses 15°Per Me v 11U0ateJ
(Answer Respondent
We live In the rural area of Arroyo Grande served by CDF,I am a retired `"'^"'—'—�. -
Are Captain from another county and have experienced the level of service
'available from Station 22,and to date,I would entrust my family,my home,
,and surrounding area to the professionals from CDF. Unless there is a VERY EFFECIENT,cost effective service that is not
;CDF has done a good Job in other communities, locally controlled.Assuming they would respond to local concerns and
•11 have lived In Arroyo Grande over 30 years and I have seen first hand the address them to our satisfaction.
,difference between Cal fire services and local fire services and in no way The most cost effective way to maintain services should be taken,whatever•
Mould 1 want our services be governed by Cal Fire.t have seen fires In the that might be.
Cal Fire areas(Print Rd)which Is a Cal Flre area have a fire gel out of l believe the answer Is yes,however since the alternatives are not
control because of how long it took Cal Fire to get there.The cities are presented,I can't say for sure.
served well with the current Fire Authority.Five Cities Fire Authority. But,opposed to what?Five Cities?County Sheriff?Martial law?
I believe it is imperative to keep local control of our fire and emergency Our area is small enough that It seems services could be combined without
;services and Would like to see an approach made to Include Pismo Beach losing any level of service.
in the Joint Powers since the areas of responsibility are so intertwined.
We should always shop services to contract agencies and CDF.
But If It becomes financially beneficial to look at other alternatives then we .
tshould re-evaluate. Not necessarily.
A community works best when they are in control of their own services.the COF's provides exceptional services
,people providing the services are usually members of the community and 1 could support contracting with Cal Fire.They adequately protect San Luis '
'understand what their neighbors went and how to best serve them. ■Obispo County.
nty.
NO NEW GOVERNMENT ENTITY NO SEPERATE FIRE AUTHORITY :If possible.
Local controls Is so very Important We don't want to become just a number no
or stat We are better than that! Local control is best for our community.
It I polble to have good service local agfd or cal fire. a g providing fire to If by local you mean 5 cities,then yes,I do not see the need for each smell
• ,ocean and grover is not in our best interest city to support It's own departments of police,fire.etc.
:Full time staffing is Important
Depends on reaponce time and cost ,• _________
It is time to sit with the Cal State Fire Authority to see what they may bring
to the table.Perhaps their way of being In this particular business would be
more beneficial to all of us.
-don't understand what'local control'moans,as compared to what?
Very much so,In fact we should never give up control of services.
•I think"local"can mean the Five Cities,doesn't have to be specifically in my
city,as long as there is representation.
{Absolutely,they best know the needs of our community.
Local,meaning 5 Cities.If so,yes.If you are speaking to each Individual
{city,then no.
!In general,yes,but this is a meaningless question with no background,so I
.can't answer It.I have to have an answer,or the program won't accept my
!comments,so I'll vote"no"
Our horns and business is in the county portion of AG so while we support
local control for these Important services we ourselves don't benefit from it.
II do not believe the current(new)fire chief is trained,sutficienty educated
nor credenfialed(spelling)In fire service to serve as the lead in that dept.
Thus(repeating)Is not competent to serve In his current capacity.I further •
'believe that some of that Incompetence was demonstrated by Immediately,
-upon appointment to his position,requested millions of dollars in addition •
and replacement equipment My belief Is that he is'buying'the loyalty of his
'staff while disregarding public costs
Local Is not defined by city.Fire authority should not be managed by the
;stale for urban areas.
tOur community is unique we must retain control of our services
!key word"control"
not sure of the benefits of local control versus state control
;Local control compared to what?State control?
;local control,like it is,I think gives more knowledgeable service to our area.
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Comment(s)for
4 *Do you support sustaining current levels of fire service with the understanding that
there will be incremental adjustments from time to timeofor the financial needs of the .
Authority? 1 1
28 Responses ts0 per p.4. v llu-? �I • - • . ,
Res
;Answer !Respondent
The spending at the fire department has exceeded what we were told it was
'supposed to be.There was to be substantial savings with the merger of
(departments that never happened.Some how it Is costing more,and it ' •The FCFA needs-to control their endpvi in costs.Currant level
(shouldn't, •service can probably be matntiktdd�i pradent'budgeting on the big-
. __,- _- _ ._ _ __. --_. . . ____,_ . __ expenses
(There needs to be a non paid citizens over site committee created by each
',of the cities represented,to make sure all of the adjustments ere'felr and
!Arroyo Grande uses the seMce 61%of the time se We•gheuid pay our out
!done on a annual basis thin is not happening now jI believe afire district inducting the unincorporated regions east ofAmoyo
?WE must sustain current levels and resolve funding to expand personnel•bn !Grande to*filch the authority is now the first responderwouldtiepiol'e,
;a permanent basis Instead of with grants that eventually'go away'. tinandally feasible than the current organization. .' _
11 can't see why the tire dept.and ambulance respond to emergency !Since technology is improving we should see a redUctlon in costs not an
iseMces, !increase.
(However,I also understand that,at the present,the Fire Authority can only' '
ibe supported at the level the Agency Members can do so Unless there Is
. tanother funding source,such as an Assessment District,they are limited to
the abilities of the participating agencies abilities- -
:The Authority was established with the knowledge that there would need to
ibe changes made to fully fund equipment and apparatus replacement,
!dispatch upgrading,end to'protect the community. '
IA city Is constantly growing and equipment has to be replaced.Therefore,
!funding levels have to change.
,MAINTAIN CURRENT LEVELS OF STAFFING WE DO NOT NEED 9 NEV
POSITIONS _ _•_ •_ -_-
rather put more money Into aged
You get what you pay for
But with no Incremental adjustments.
How about a pay cut? . -
IDependtng on the definition of(incremental adjustments ,
'I think we need economy of scale_with other communities
!Same answer as*3 I don't have the background to know whether the
"current levels of fire service"are adequate or not.No answer I have to
have an answer,or the program won't accept my comments,so I'll vote
no".
!Supporting undetermined increases,whether we benefit does not make
good economic sense,Il Is in essence writing a blank check without
knowing what amount Is going to be filled in.
• !'Incremental and from time to time'are the key words heron!
jl do not know what current levels are..
it do not support generic Incremental adjustments That wording Is way to
!vague.
• snot sure.Fluctuating depending on need Is Important
It appears that the Authority was established without due consideration to
'budget for current and future personnel,equipment,etc Some current •
ipersonnelrwere being paid via grants,which are not permanent Now that
the Authority has been established,it is coming back to the citizens for
'more money to cover'these shortfalls.POOR PLANNING Citizens
!approved the authority with the understanding that all the dots were •
'connected,and It could sustain itself as presented That was not true,
!Again,I believe the answer Is yes,however since I do not know what '
!incremental"means nor is"from time to time"defined,nor is there an
!alternative presented,I do not know for sure.
IBut,opposed to what?Five Cities?
Depends upon the Financial Needs, Is the Fire Authority using the funds
prudently?
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Fire Authority Survey I Can't imagine how long it would take to get fire people here when dispatch
Is unable to find IS So yes I believe all should be local
Sim+ey netarls i Overall Results I Individual Results I returned to California after Innng In the village of Lake Zurich,Illinois My
property taxes exceeded$25,000 annually to fund a top her school district,
police,fire,,tibia.), and recreation fora community of 14,000 If given the
• chance,we should have pooled resources with the adjoining villages of i
Back similar sire and nerds Why pay for duplicate resources in close proximity?
Combining resources provides for service at a price Californians will
Comment(s)for: accept Because they won't pay$25K1
Aren't those things the definition of a fire service company"?Is the FCFA
5 *Do you believe it is important to invest in the future of the Fivt not doing thosc>things?Another meaningless question.No answer
order to meet the evolving needs for emergency services,inclut What an a tsw r,l oboe,program on'tac accept iy c of a jnts, I have to
9 9 Y have an tins+ver,or the program won't accept my comments,so I'll vote
replacement,a sustainable management structure and workforc "no" My non-atelity to answer these questions is NOT a joke You
emergency preparedness? obviously don't consider my time valuable Call any time and I'll explain why
These questions are meaningless
Charles A.Jordan 409-3465
38 Responses I would need more information on how the Authority coexists with the local
fire depts to answer this question
Answer Of course investment should be supported,but not blindly Living in the
Yes when necessary,but it can't be left in the hands of the department, county we have to pay an assessment for"fire education"of over$110
They always want all the new and expensive toys and they sell it to the annually,We pay substantial taxes and I have yet to see any benefit
councils and community by saying it is for the health and safety of the derived from the additional fees there would be more support for
community Their should be an oversight committee made up of venous
"Improvement Plans"if some CLOSE$estimates can be attached to it tine
community members that are not associated with the department what the cost Is I er household in the affected region Typically
Absolutely,local control should always be what we aim for assessments are voted on by those who will be the ones looting the bill.
Five Cities Fire was organized and a budget set without the foresight by the Any and all equip costs or new capital spending should FIRST be
Joint Powers to include funding reserves for future needs in equipment and shouldtad c meal elected officials within Fire the and Police at and only then
full-time personnel Joint Powers must now invest more into establishing a should a recommendation equipment pe ent while Fsp and Police inaie mo its of
fully staffed and equipped agency want more staff,mole equipment while spending Inordinate amounts of
time justifying those requests. The public is sick and tired of more and
very much sot more taxes without seeing significant reductions in spending anywhere in
I believe that there was concern over the purchase of the extravagant fire government budgets weather real or simply perception.,
truck with ladder reach of 4 stories.The concern that money was spent that The authority deserved to get the funds they asked for The problem was
was not necessary,would be an on going practice That Is just 1 example. that they never addressed the financials in a clear concise way and that
Overlapping response from fire and ambulance,I guess they have to have made people suspicious They must address that to win
something to dot Cut their pay and writs to private sector levels
You can agree there is a need but that doesn't necessarily mean there Is We don't need them to respond to all the 9-1-1 calls
the ability to fund the solution under the current structure It is a shame they ran out of some money for those additional fire fighters
Absolutely.If no consolidation had occurred,the city of Arroyo Grande That should never happen
would be paying at least$400,000 per year MORE to maintain the exact However,I still believe one fire response coordination for the entire 5 cities
same level of service we currently have Contracting with Cal Fire for the area including Pismo Beach might be better to serve needs and costs.
I same level of service and staffing would not be cheaper,and we would But clear cases must bd
NOT have local control of staffing and apparatus The Fire Authonty be made for both capital
purchases as well as
provides daily protection to the community and is an absolutely essential manpower increases
service that must be provided. Citizens approved the Authority with the understanding that it was a
Although there are similar needs of all the five cities,I am leery of the complete sustainable unit,which is not true.See#4 If the Authority cannot
although there are similar needs of all the five cities,I am leery of the get its financial house in order,then other might must be reviewed,
Authority adjusting salaries to equalize pay to all its fire fighters.I don't to including Cal Fire i think that the Authority might have been less than
raise all the workers to AG pay rates,If Grover Beach chooses to increase truthful with the citizens weym(was established,and I Bono think concede have
the desire to support a They must put their house in order,or concede to
their fire fighters pay,fine but let them pay ford another service provider
I would like to express my concern that medical calls,which I understand Again,what does"invest"mean?Who will be doing the"investing",how
are a large volume of fire department calls,do not warrant the use of the 9 9,
big fire trucks.I would like to know that our financial resources are being much and for how long?nt(w What amts like current revenue of sonic Why Is
used wisely and prudently by the Fire Authority I'm sure there are/would be charged t investment y)needed?ed?W lee taxes or fees time sonic kind u be
times that the big rigs need to go out,but surely there are also times when was asked to the citizenry)I l needed?Wuenwas the dried time lye community
a smaller vehicle would suffice.Thank you for considenng my opinion,and was a are toy invest?le,/I fns qu scions I stream at w ld?if yes,why?
for the services you provide our community These are only a le.v of the questions I have that would allow me to better
/ answer the queseoe raised So,generally,my answer is yes,with?s
LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS.THAT MEANS WE CAN NOT AFFORD If combined with otter local services,I would support
II MILLIONS MORE IN ADDITIONAL STAFF AND EQUIPMENT
Our mgt staff needs more support There needs to be 3 battalion Chiefs to The combining of the throe agencies was questioned in the beginning It
silt the workload You are overworking eerily looked like a good idea at the time
p g your staff and they will leave for
more lucrative jobs somewhere else FCFA should budget for these investments and see if they can include
important to Invest In agency to serve arroyo grande investments in their current budget poor to asking the public inr more funds
Generous pension strictures only available to public employees take
What is wrong with the existing equipment? budgetary flexibility away from FCFA and will put the burden squarely on
Flatten the management structure like the private sector has done the residents.
Again....This is too open ended. must have guidelines and limits yes but there are huts such as we do not need
It Ise time to figure out if it is beneficial to merge with Cal Fire In speaking a lire(ruck with la ibters that reach higher than
with the participating fire fighters associated with Cal Fire I hear great the cities have str e lures Also,salaries need to be in line with the working
comments including much higher wages than the other fire people in the area,at extremely high
departments.The citizens feel that the sustaining current levels of fire I would like to see r,ptlons explored This Authority was entered into with
service with Incremental adjustments are an added tax on all of us faulty financ,al assumptions I would like to see what Cal Fire can offer.
Further,". if we cannot afford a fire authority then perhaps we should See comment 54
merger with another fire department..,"The proposed budget.huge
I believe the Idea of having 911 dispatch going thru Santa Maria is the Within reasonable budget limits Growth in expense should be relative to
the growth in population/service area with a very m
i worst idea anyone has ever come up with.I work at a hotel and when we manor adjustment for cost
' call for help they don't even know where we are Not efficient what so ever economy Overall arid budgets technology m going down not up There than be
economy of scale and lc>chnology Improvements that would more than
offset cost nureas:s
There may he ecie mice of scale that can be achieved by participating in
larger orgarezahoi , thus the FCFA was born,but even better economies
may be achieved i ,joining a larger regionalized group.such a',Cal Fire.
k/uLeonstanteontact.com/so/rnav/survey/a07eblfrbowi9vvy Do not work or live-i,the 5 cities so this doesn't apply