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11/02/1999FIRE TASK FORCE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 2, 1999 Present: Bill Horne Chair Joe Calio Task Force Member Joe Evich Task Force Member – arrived 3:35 p.m. Rowland Herald Task Force Member Russ Kimball Task Force Member George Krause Task Force Member John Lee Task Force Member Scott Nall Task Force Member Bill Schwob Task Force Member Duke Tieman Task Force Member Doug Williams Task Force Alternate Absent: William Sherman Task Force Member Jean Stuart Task Force Alternate Also Present: Jack Callahan Assistant Fire Chief James Fogarty Deputy Fire Chief/EMS Robert Lockwood Fire Support Manager Margie Simmons Finance Director Tina Wilson Budget Director Rich Baier Public Works Administrator – arrived 4:20 p.m. Sue Diana Assistant City Clerk Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM 2 – Approval of October 26, 1999 Minutes Member Lee moved to continue approval of the minutes until the next meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM 3 – Discussion of Fire Plan Needs & Budget Deputy Fire Chief/EMS Jim Fogarty demonstrated the Lifepak 12, an automatic external defibrillator. The state of the art device costs approximately $18,000. It can perform the same type of cardiograph as is used in hospitals and can pace and restart the heart. It requires a paramedic to interface with it to interpret electrocardiograph rhythms. The device contains a software program that prompts the user through the steps necessary for use and is accurate and simple to use requiring minimal training. A question was raised if an inexperienced user could harm the patient and it was indicated the system is designed not to recommend shocking the patient if a shockable rhythm is not detected. Mr. Fogarty said cardiac arrest patients’ survival rates have been increased. The American Heart Association is launching an intensive campaign to convince private industry, government entities, and places of public assembly to purchase the devices. Devices have been placed at the Pier 60 and Sand Key lifeguard stations, at the Police Department building, and have been utilized by the YMCA. Over the next three years, the Fire Department hopes to place devices in public places. Mr. Fogarty distributed handouts from the American Heart Association and a copy of a June 1999 St. Petersburg Times article highlighting automatic defibrillators. He noted Collier County has placed over 80 devices throughout the County with no reported abuses of equipment. Each site with a device will have trained personnel with an action plan for emergency management. In response to a question, Mr. Fogarty said rather than this device, professional responders have a more sophisticated defibrillator on board each unit. Fire Department Support Manager Bob Lockwood distributed a handout regarding department needs over the next five years (Attached as Exhibit A to these minutes and as such made part of the record). He reviewed costs associated with: 1) a Sand Key fire station; 2) a Northwest fire station, 3) a Clearwater Mall facility; 4) shop/supply costs; 5) training costs; 6) main station/administrative costs; and 7) apparatus costs. He recapped the current budget, percent of budget increase for FY 2000 – 2005, and the County’s share of costs to the City. The costs shown on the handout include inflation, annual step increases for fire fighters, cost of living increases, medical, benefits, personnel, and operational costs. He said in September 1999, the Commission approved nine additional fire fighter positions. The Fire Department proposes six additional personnel in FY 2001. Mr. Lockwood said no budgeted costs are associated with facilities in FY 1999/00, assuming the City will use the Coast Guard’s facilities. Plans are to construct a facility on Sand Key in October 2001. Total costs associated with the Sand Key station and an ALS engine are estimated at $1.76 million over and above current costs. Chair Horne said according to Public Works, these figures do not include land acquisition costs, some construction management costs, permit and impact fees, and off-site improvements for sidewalks, etc. The possibility of a contamination assessment report may be required. In response to a question, Mr. Lockwood said there would be some costs associated with using the Coast Guard facility. Mr. Lockwood reviewed by fiscal year the total number of additional personnel being requested to meet the requirements of the Sand Key and Northwest stations, and for 4-man engines. A total of 54 fire fighters are being requested. It is anticipated the Northwest Station will be operational in October of 2002. He explained the staffing plan for the Sand Key and Northwest stations. The total cost for the Northwest station is estimated at $1.74 million. Mr. Lockwood reviewed costs associated with the Clearwater Mall fire station in the amount of $1.65 million. Initial facility costs will be incurred beginning in FY 2003, with occupancy in 2004. The existing engine will be used at this location. Mr. Lockwood said the current shop facility is a 2-bay maintenance facility adjacent to the main fire station. The supply facility at the Highland Station is basically an equipment bay being used for supplies. Both facilities are inadequate. The new shop/supply facility being proposed in FY 2005 will cost approximately $1.34 million. Mr. Lockwood said the training facility proposed is in addition to the current one on Belcher Road. Two fire inspectors and two clerical people are being requested, in FY 2001 and FY 2002. Vehicles will be required for the inspectors. Replacement apparatus will be lease purchased over five years. Two separate facilities are being requested to replace the main fire station and administrative offices. The administration will remain near to the Municipal Services Building (MSB), and the main fire station will be geographically located for the required coverage. A total of $5.6 million is being requested in the fifth year, over and above the current budget, approximately a 60% budget increase. In response to a question, Mr. Lockwood said when municipalities provide mutual aid, the County does not provide any monetary payment. It was remarked a city of Clearwater’s size would normally be expected to assist smaller municipalities. Fire Chief Rowland Herald said by virtue of the mutual aid agreement, Clearwater is basically the fire department for Belleair and Belleair Bluffs. Clearwater receives some mutual aid from them. He said there are grids in north Clearwater where Clearwater is not first due because Dunedin is closer. In response to a question, Chief Herald said if a fire station is built in northwest Clearwater, Clearwater would be first due. He said a station in that area would receive approximately 3,000 calls annually. In response to a question, he said if the City did not continue to plan for equipment replacements, refurbishment, and upkeep of the Fire Department infrastructure, a crisis point could be reached. He said it is important to review the entire operation, plan ahead in order to meet service levels, and specifically increase personnel levels. The current level of productivity cannot be maintained in the future without an increase in resources. It was indicated the ISO rating is at a marginal level 3. Chief Herald said it might be possible to raise that to a level 2 ISO rating with the addition of another fire station. Fire insurance rates are affected by ratings. It was requested Mr. Lockwood provide a complete list of assumptions regarding the proposal. The meeting recessed from 4:07 to 4:20 p.m. In response to a question, it was indicated all facilities would be lease purchased. The City is able to obtain an excellent rate with General Electric for various items. Staff intends to pursue all grant opportunities. Other items such as buildings can be bonded. He said the biggest expense will be in personnel costs. In response to a question, Budget Director Tina Wilson said there will be no cash from the Penny for Pinellas to pay cash for fire stations, but the City may be able to borrow from future revenues. In response to a question, Mr. Lockwood said the total Fire Department workforce is180, 156 of which are line people. If additional personnel are approved, the total by 2005 would be 229. It was requested the proposal include a line item showing the combined total of the current and proposed budget. In response to a question, Chief Herald said from a fire fighter and safety point of view, four-man engines are not a luxury. Five-man engines are preferable; three is the bare minimum. It was remarked that the four-man engines would make the difference between an average and a first-class fire department. Member Briskman distributed a handout regarding data she compiled from Fire Department reports and data from 1997 – 1985 for the committee’s review. She requested Chief Herald review the number of reported injuries. She also noted a discrepancy between population figures in the City and unincorporated areas used by the City and County. Discussion ensued regarding anticipated retirements. Retirement costs are not reflected in the Fire Department’s proposal. Mr. Lockwood said the City has no mandatory retirement requirements. Costs will vary depending upon retirement dates, vacation, sick leave, and floating holidays. In response to a question, Ms. Wilson said the Premium Stabilization Fund was used in the past. She is unsure of the dollar amount currently in the fund. She said it is possible that the City may consider utilizing those funds citywide to help defray retirement costs if numerous employees retired simultaneously. In response to a question, Public Works Administrator Rich Baier said if the Sand Key fire station is to be operational by October 2001, approval would be required no later than May of 2001. Construction of a fire station, assuming there is no contamination, will take approximately six months. Mr. Lockwood said members can obtain from the Budget Office a copy of the current budget showing all capital equipment lease purchase items. It was requested staff provide the Committee with any available funding options and sources to achieve the needs of the Fire Department. Chief Herald said he will provide the Committee with the results of a survey done on 51 fire departments throughout Florida regarding funding sources. It was remarked that a study was done eight years ago regarding a fire impact fee based on new construction. Since Clearwater is basically built out, that type of impact fee is not a viable alternative. It was remarked another option may be fire fees based upon square footage of facilities. It was requested the Legal Department research the possibility of imposing a fire fee on buildings that want service but are not willing to install sprinklers. It was requested staff provide the Committee with ISO rating criteria. ITEM 6 – Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.