ABSTRACT: The FIRE SERVICE ALTERNATIVES Report prepared by GEORGE E. RAWSON, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY (RET.), dated April 17, 2011, “focuses on alternative models of how fire protection services can be administered, and does not include the Carmel Regional Fire Ambulance component.” The FIRE SERVICE OPTIONS include STAND ALONE MODEL, MONTEREY FIRE CONTRACT and CAL FIRE CONTRACT. The SUMMARY states: “In summary, the stand-alone model is more costly and provides substantially fewer personnel and equipment resources versus the JPA or fire service contract alternatives. Although the JPA model is a promising alternative, the ability to implement this option in the near future makes this an impractical alternative at this time. It is recommended the city focus on contract fire services as the preferred alternative while maintaining the option to participate in a fire services JPA in the future.” An abbreviated summary of the Carmel-by-the-Sea Fire Service Cost Estimate Comparison table is presented. And the Comparative Analysis of Fire Service Options table, including all fourteen FACTORS (Emergency response standard (first unit on scene); Emergency response standard (structure fire); Availability of qualified chief officer for incident command; Station staffing; Fire Inspection services; Control over service levels and costs; Governance / local control; Capability to share other local City services; Workforce stability; Financial risk; Existing liability for retiree medical benefits; Ease of implementation; sustainability; Labor support and Employee Pre-employment background investigation) is reproduced. Importantly, Monterey and Carmel fire associations fully support the MONTEREY FIRE CONTRACT option. The intent of the report is “to facilitate preliminary discussion and public input.” The City’s FIRE SERVICE ALTERNATIVES Packet is embedded, including the Fire Services Proposal For the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea from the City of Monterey, Fire Department, March 31, 2011 and Service Options for the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAL FIRE San Benito – Monterey Unit Richard C. Hutchinson Jr., Unit Chief, April 28, 2011. The 5-Year Totals for STAND ALONE MODEL, MONTEREY FIRE CONTRACT and CAL FIRE CONTRACT are $12,813,077, $9,560,633 and $8,686,017, respectively. A Fire Services Workshop is scheduled for Thursday, April 28, at 5:00 P.M., City Hall Chambers.
Carmel-by-the-Sea Fire Service Cost Estimate Comparison
OPTION #1: STAND ALONE MODEL
FY 11/12 Total $ 2,604,535
FY 12/13 Total $ 2,490,098
FY 13/14 Total $ 2,564,135
FY 14/15 Total $ 2,574,833
FY 15/16 Total $ 2,579,476
5-Year Total $ 12,813,077
Note: Total excludes CRFA subsidy and leases
OPTION #2: MONTEREY FIRE CONTRACT
FY 11/12 Total $ 1,928,541
FY 12/13 Total $ 1,852,083
FY 13/14 Total $ 1,909,541
FY 14/15 Total $ 1,928,734
FY 15/16 Total $ 1,941,734
5-Year Total $ 9,560,633
Note: Total excludes CRFA subsidy and leases
OPTION #3: CAL FIRE CONTRACT
FY 11/12 TOTAL $ 1,801,437
FY 12/13 Total $ 1,704,625
FY 13/14 Total $ 1,708,089
FY 14/15 Total $ 1,733,091
FY 15/16 Total$ 1,738,775
5-Year Total $ 8,686,017
Note: Total excludes CRFA subsidy and leases
Comparative Analysis of Fire Service Options
FACTOR: Emergency response standard (first unit on scene
STAND ALONE Response time is 3 to 5 minutes on 90% of calls.
MONTEREY Response time is 3 to 5 minutes on 90% of calls.
CAL FIRE Response time is 3 to 5 minutes on 90% of calls.
FACTOR: Emergency response standard (structure fire)
STAND ALONE 1 engine, 1 ambulance, and 1 chief officer (6 personnel).
MONTEREY 4 engines, 1 aerial apparatus, 1 ambulance and 1 chief officer (min. 18 personnel)
CAL FIRE 4 engines, 1 aerial apparatus, 1ambulance and 1 chief officer (min. 18 personnel)
FACTOR: Availability of qualified chief officer for incident command
STAND ALONE City establishes criteria for availability.
MONTEREY Available within 10 minutes of Carmel at all times.
CAL FIRE Available within 10 minutes of Carmel at all times.
FACTOR: Station staffing
STAND ALONE 1 engine company with 3 personnel; backfill with off-duty personnel as available.
MONTEREY 1 engine company with 3 personnel; will backfill Carmel station when Carmel engine is committed.
CAL FIRE 1 engine company with 3 personnel; will backfill Carmel station when Carmel engine is committed.
FACTOR: Fire Inspection services
STAND ALONE As established and funded by City.
MONTEREY Contract includes inspection services by Monterey Fire Prevention staff.
CAL FIRE Contract offers dedicated inspection staff plus on-duty engine crew
FACTOR: Control over service levels and costs
STAND ALONE Most control over service levels and costs.
MONTEREY City determines service level desired in collaboration with Monterey; somewhat more influence on costs than state model
CAL FIRE City determines service level desired; no control over state personnel salary & benefits costs.
FACTOR: Governance/local control
STAND ALONE City retains the most control with this option.
MONTEREY Local city to city partnership building on existing relationships and agreements. Fire Chief has track record of being responsive to Carmel standards.
CAL FIRE State/local government partnership subject to state’s oversight authority. Local area CALFIRE Unit Chief has authority to tailor fire protection proposal to meet Carmel standards.
FACTOR: Capability to share other local City services
STAND ALONE Not applicable
MONTEREY Significant potential to share other municipal services
CAL FIRE None
FACTOR: Workforce stability
STAND ALONE City has full control of employees; historically very stable workforce.
MONTEREY Majority of fire staff lives within Monterey County and is heavily involved in local activities; may result in lower turnover rate than state model.
CAL FIRE State agency with employees recruited throughout state; ability to transfer in and out of Carmel and local area at any time.
FACTOR: Financial risk
STAND ALONE More costly than contract alternative; city retains most control of costs with this alternative.
MONTEREY Proven local government partnership; likely somewhat more influence over costs than state model.
CAL FIRE State budget uncertainties do exist. City maintains right to pay costs for level of fire services city desires.
FACTOR: Existing liability for retiree medical benefits
STAND ALONE None
MONTEREY None
CAL FIRE CAL FIRE’s share of State’s unfunded retiree medical obligations not included in proposal; Retiree benefit calculated on basis of state employee service; city years of service excluded from benefit calculation.
FACTOR: Ease of implementation; sustainability
STAND ALONE Likely more complex than contract model.
MONTEREY Proven local contract partnerships; many of the required implementation steps have been completed to minimize transition period; likely quickest implementation.
CAL FIRE Proven experience with implementing contracts. May result in longer implementation period due to collective bargaining process yet to be completed.
FACTOR: Labor support
STAND ALONE Carmel Firefighter’s Association does not support this model.
MONTEREY Monterey and Carmel fire associations fully support this alternative.
CAL FIRE Unknown, however CAL FIRE firefighters union has previously opposed CAL FIRE contracting with Pacific Grove.
FACTOR: Familiarity with local structures and needs
STAND ALONE Carmel firefighters are well-acquainted with Carmel’s unique characteristics.
MONTEREY Carmel and Monterey Firefighters currently conduct joint training and are familiar with Carmel’s unique characteristics.
CAL FIRE Current Carmel firefighters remain assigned to the CFD as CAL FIRE employees. However, they have future discretion to transfer anywhere in the State. New staff must be trained on Carmel’s unique characteristics.
FACTOR: Termination of Fire Services Agreement
STAND ALONE Not applicable
MONTEREY 12 months’ termination notice required; payment for unpaid transferred leave balances due upon termination.
CAL FIRE 12 months’ termination notice required; no fiscal liability for transferred leave balances upon termination.
FACTOR: Employee Pre-employment background investigation
STAND ALONE All employees hired and promoted are subject to comprehensive background and psychological evaluation.
MONTEREY All employees hired and promoted are subject to comprehensive background and psychological evaluation.
CAL FIRE No agency specific requirements for pre-employment background checks, but criminal history checks are performed pursuant to State EMT employment regulations.
City FIRE SERVICE ALTERNATIVES April 2011
FIRE SERVICE ALTERNATIVES April 2011
3 comments:
With the amended amended interim fire contract with Monterey, it is long past time to take long overdue action on a long-term solution for fire services. Why Public Safety Director George Rawson did not get this done before going to Northridge is very telling about Carmel's dysfunctional government.
There are certain personal attributes you will need to fulfil your role as a firefighter. These include confidence, resilience, adaptability, ability to communicate effectivley, integrity and have a commitment to diversity.
The key to improving service is to motivate every individual, it is to ensure that all staffs and employees working for service know what the people or their superior expect from them an d of course, they must also have a vested interest in what they are doing.
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