The special committee appointed by the Escambia Co. Commissioners to review fire safety is about to announce their recommendations. This is a draft and hasn’t been approved by the committee. There will be report from the chairman that will accompany the approved recommendations. We’re still a few days away from the final recommendations.
FSCAC RECOMMENDATIONS
REVENUE
* MSBU – no increase in FY07/08
* Establish Commercial MSBU minimum equal to Residential MSBU Rate (lowest Commercial Rate should not be less than the Residential).
* Use LOST III revenue to procure all capital improvements over $25K.
* Establish process for Insurance reimbursement for Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) responses.
* Establish a fee schedule for fine assessments on commercial properties that are not in compliance with Fire Safety Code.
* Establish Impact Fees for new construction ($200 per Residential, and $.03 per square foot assessment for commercial, but not less than $200).
* Eliminate the assessment of the County’s Administrative Overhead Fee to Fire and Rescue.
ORGANIZATION
* County Fire Chief is in charge of Fire Services, to include Career and Volunteer personnel. He is responsible for Administrative, Financial, Personnel, and Operational functions of Fire Services.
* Organizational structure should be consistent Fire Services throughout the Country:
Fire Chief
Deputy Fire chief
Battalion Chiefs
Station Chiefs
Lieutenants
Engineers
Firefighters
* Fire Chief will establish and implement Standard Operating Procedures that all of Fire Services will adhere to and follow.
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
* Recommend Fire Services assume responsibility, management, and oversight of emergency vehicle repairs instead of ECAT.
CENTRALIZED WAREHOUSING
* Assume total responsibility for accountability and control of all Fire Service assets to include minor/capital equipment, consumable supplies, and non-consumable supplies (bunker gear, fire hose, etc.).
* Hire 2nd Storekeeper.
* Establish a one-stop gear issue facility for new Firefighters to obtain necessary gear/equipment.
* Bar Code and track all capital equipment, minor equipment and non-consumable equipment with a life expectancy of 1 year or greater.
* Conduct internal routine audits and inventories to ensure all assets are accounted for and properly utilized.
CONTRACTS WITH VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
* Recommend addendum(s) to existing Contracts to reflect the new organizational structure, response time requirements, training/certification requirements, Standard Operating Procedures, and procedures associated with department administrative, financial, and operational functions. Current Contract is vague and lacks performance standards and mandated training requirements.
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER STIPEND
* Recommend re-writing the Stipend Policy so it can be more easily interpreted, efficiently administered, and routinely audited to ensure full compliance.
* Consider limiting Stipend to on-scene responses and certification levels achieved.
* Task Fire Chief with re-writing Stipend Policy that is more equitable and easily administered and monitored.
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER COORDINATOR
* Hire a Volunteer Fire Coordinator.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
* Continue Citizens Advisory Committee (2 members from each district). They will be tasked with monitoring the implemented recommendations from this committee and any other tasks requested by the Board of County Commissioners.
VOLUNTEER FIRE CHIEF STAFF VEHICLES
* Task Fire Chief with establishment of clear and concise guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures on the appropriate usage of these vehicles.