Fire Department Task Force

PRELIMINARY REPORT TO THE PUBLIC

MAY 24, 2006

AGENDA

Acceptance of May 17 minutes Summary of the GFD Task Force Activities – Todd Final Reports from sub-committees

Non – viable Options Full Time Department – Dave Edmundson Joint Police & Fire departments – No report Joint Fire Department – Ron Gieleghem

Viable Options Enhanced Department – Ron Gieleghem Volunteer Department – Cynthia Beischel Contract only – Mike Burnham Contract & Volunteer – Bob Gruber

Additional discussion and persons wishing to address the Task Force Adjournment

Purpose of the Meeting

Inform the public about the process and activities of the Fire Department Task Force

Outline the options considered by the Task Force

Secure feedback on the options from the public

Committee Objectives

Provide recommendations to the Village Council for their consideration for optimizing village fire protection

Task Force Membership

Jack Murray Betty Kooris Ken Sims Bob Gruber Ron Gieleghem Dave Edmundson Mike Burnham

Alec Brockmeier Cynthia Beischel Ann Rueve Matt Fruchey –

Police Chief Mike Honerlaw –

Village Solicitor Tom Todd – Mayor &

Chairman

Task Force Education

The Task Force visited local fire departments and were given presentations and tours by their Chiefs Woodlawn – Chief Mynatt Evendale – John Vail Sharonville – Dale Duermit Springdale – Dan Shroyer Wyoming – Bob Rielage Greenhills – Tony Spaeth

In addition, William Goldfeder, Deputy Chief of the Loveland – Symmes Township Department gave a presentation to the Task Force

Task Force Organization

The Task Force was organized into sub-committees to review and provide recommendations to the Task Force. Full-time – Dave Edmundson Cross-trained Police/Fire – Bob Gruber/Alec

Brockmeier/Ken Sims Joint Fire District – Ron Gieleghem/Betty Kooris Enhanced GFD – Ron Gieleghem Volunteer – Cynthia Beischel/Ann Rueve Contract – Mike Burnham/Jack Murray Contract/Volunteer – Bob Gruber/Alec

Brockmeier/Ken Sims

Full-Time Department

The sub-committee concluded that based on cost and facilities this option was untenable

The reasons are several - including Operating costs would be at least $450,000 per

year and require a 3 mil tax levy Capital costs including the rehabilitation of the

historic Town Hall while never pinned down would be daunting

A full-time department would be a departure from a long standing tradition of volunteer fire fighting

Full-Time Department

A couple of observations First – A good fire department requires good leadership. This

is true no matter what kind of department it is, but it is particularly important for a volunteer department

Secondly – Volunteer don’t work for money. What they work for is service and respect.

There seems to be wrong on both sides of the issue of respect – neither the leadership nor the support were up to grade

All involved have paid a price for their actions We must provide guidelines and standards for future

volunteers We must provide strong leadership for any department

Joint Fire District

The sub-committee does not recommend this option

The reason include The option is not politically achievable in the near

term Current southwestern Ohio JFD were formed when

2 or move adjoining communities each can not provide basic protection on their own. Glendale is surrounded by communities that have full time fire departments

The costs would be very expensive. Estimated cost to Glendale residents would require at least $650,000 or an additional 5 mil tax levy

Enhanced Department

This recommendation includes re-instating old GFD and enhancing its coverage.

The option was presented to the Task Force by the former Fire Fighters

First – we need to understand the baseline scope

Baseline Scope

Manpower Chief (1) – Part time (paid) Part Time Fire fighters (6) – Part time (paid)

2 on station 7:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday – Friday Volunteers (includes part time fire fighters when not on duty)

(10-15) – Paid only when on a run or training Equipment

2 Fire Trucks One is foam equipped – no other engine in the neighboring

communities has this capability 1 Rescue Truck

Hauls extra equipment Has air tank refill capability

Baseline Scope

Mutual Aid Agreements Automatic Mutual Aid

All structure related calls Woodlawn

Mutual Aid On request County Wide

Cost 2005 Appropriations - $155,000

$40,000 - General Operations $115,000 – Personnel

Capital Improvements $35,000 – average per year

Total costs - $190,000

Enhanced Department

Continue part time paid and volunteer paid on call Based on recommendations of neighboring Chiefs

minimum planned manning of would be 3 fire fighters Should consider 12 hour shifts to provide increased

coverage All part time fire fighters should be EMT certified – but

not required for volunteers Equipment would remain the same Mutual aid agreements would be negotiated by the

new Fire Chief – don’t expect change from past

Enhanced Department

Operating expenses should remain the same - $40,000

Capital improvements - $35,000 Personnel costs

3 people, 8 hour shift - $157,000 3 people, 12 hour shift - $202,000 Includes 10% pay increase to attract additional

personnel (consistent with Woodlawn pay scale) EMT enhancement

$5,000 to start growing to $3,000-5,000 per year

Volunteer Department

Reactivate the GFD as quickly as possible during the 6 months remaining on our contract with Woodlawn

Under the mentoring of Chief Rielage, a captain is to be chosen to provide initial GFD leadership. Over time the person most qualified to be the GFD Chief will emerge because of their experience and commitment to the volunteer philosophy. Chiefs Rielage and Spaeth should participate in the candidate selection process.

Develop and implement an aggressive recruiting program. Expect a total of 20-25 volunteers to comprise the GFD with our re-activated loyal fire fighters as the core.

Volunteer Department

Maintain a volunteer crew of 4 persons per shift available on or near the fire station during peak demand hours between 7 am – 9 pm

There should be sufficient volunteers available between 9 pm – 7 am.

During the first year GFD will add EMS first responder responsibilities and a medical director

Continue EMS contract with Springdale which as provided excellent assistance since 1991

Accrue $25,000 per year staring in 2007 for future equipment and apparatus expenditures

Volunteer Department

$125,000 was allotted in the 2006 budget. Subtracting $40,000 for the Woodlawn contract and $40,000 for operating expenditures leaves $45,000 personnel and training costs during the second half of 2006

An ongoing full year budget impact study has not been completed yet.

Benefits of continuing our tradition Fastest response time Optimal safety and security Lowest cost - $100,000 saved over actual 2005 costs Retains local control Restores community pride and unity Maintains historical autonomy and integrity

Contracted Services

This is a viable option to be considered The Village can contract for fire services equal to or better than

prior fire services at a significantly reduced cost. Cost approximately $40,000 per year Response time by both Woodlawn or Springdale in 2–4 minutes

Positives Lower cost Full-time coverage First response coverage - 24 hours a day - 7 days a week Improved response time when train is blocking tracks

Negatives Potential slight reduction in response time for certain areas Loss of Village fire department identity Perceived loss of control of fire department services

Contracted Services

Types of fire services Fire suppression Fire prevention and public education Fire cause determination and investigations Enforcement of regulations Assistance in reviewing building plans Building inspections Processing hazardous materials Search and rescue Extraction Medical Assistance responses Administrative functions and services Training and Education services Apparatus and equipment maintenance and repair services

Contract/Volunteer Department

Continue alliance with Woodlawn for fire protection and other services now being performed. Woodlawn would place a certified fireman at the Glendale fire

house Woodlawn provide EMT service now being provided

by Springdale. Woodlawn would keep an EMT vehicle with 2 paramedics

located at the Glendale fire station – 7 days a week from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.

At other times the EMT vehicle would be dispatched from the Woodlawn fire house

The Woodlawn Fire Chief would serve as Glendale Fire Chief

Contract/Volunteer Department

Form a volunteer Fire Department in Glendale with former and future fire department personnel

These positions would not be compensated (Greenhills)

It would left to the discretion of the Fire Chief to select and retain any and all volunteer personnel

The cost of training would be Glendale’s. One option would be to send interested volunteers to Wyoming as they have offered free training and certification for potential Glendale volunteers

The cost for all uniforms and equipment would be the responsibility of Glendale.

Contract/Volunteer Department

The contract with Woodlawn would be for 5 years at a cost of $40,000 per year with a 3% increase annually on the anniversary of the original contract. This contract would be renewable for an additional 5 years.

Recommend accruing $25,000 per year for potential future equipment

Benefits Upon implementation, known fixed cost $60,000 savings from actual 2005 costs No new taxes An opportunity to move forward Proven experience leadership Paramedics and EMT vehicle in village

Summary

Full-Time DepartmentNot viable

Leadership – Cost $450K

Enhanced DepartmentViable

Leadership – Cost $290K

Cross Police & Fire Not viable

Difficult – Cost $ ??

Volunteer DepartmentViable

Leadership – Cost $ ??

Joint Fire DistrictNot viable

Politics – Cost $650K

ContractViable

Lowest cost $40,000

Contract/VolunteerViable

Cost $180K