Title
Update on Fire Department Study (Rick Chaffin) (5 minutes)
Summary
COUNCIL GOALS: N/A
MEETING DATE: March 1, 2010
DEPARTMENT: City Manager
CONTACT: Rick Chaffin, Deputy City Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION: N/A
ITEM SUMMARY:
Core Businesses
• Protect people and property; making a safe community
• Plan for McKinney’s future development
Fire Department Operational Review
Description
The Fire Department Operational Review is similar to the reviews undertaken in the Police Department and the Development Services Department. The purpose is to assess the organizational structure, staffing levels, allocation of resources (including the staffing of stations and other staffing considerations), policies and procedures and compare and contrast with best practices from around the country.
Goal
The goal is to provide the greatest level of effectiveness in Fire and EMS services to our citizens in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible and using approaches that are sustainable for the long term.
Process/Resources
An internal Fire Study Steering Committee has been created with representatives from fire administration, fire command staff, the firefighters association, and from the front line firefighters. The purpose is to ensure inclusiveness and transparency of the process to enhance the credibility of the review. Various internal focus groups will be held in additional to several individual interviews. Additionally, each fire department employee will have an opportunity to respond to a confidential survey.
A final report will be made to Mayor and Council at a work session upon conclusion of the project.
Time Frame
The project is anticipated to take approximate 120 days with a tentative completion date of July 30.
Product/Outcome/Benefits
A sustainable staffing and resource allocation model that efficiently and effectively allocates our resources to provide the best Fire and EMS services possible to our citizens will be an outcome of this operational review.
A second desired outcome is to identify and recommend other operational opportunities that will further enhance the efficient and effective delivery of fire services to the community.
March 1, 2010 Update
This is a new item.
Interviews with prospective firms have been conducted and one has been selected by the Deputy City Manager for the project. Contract negotiations are underway. Council approval of a contract is anticipated on April 6.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The RFQ listed the following major objectives for this study:
o Current Service Delivery Analysis
o Overall Evaluation of Services
o Community Risk Analysis
o Future System Demand Projections
o Review of Future Delivery System Model(s) for Fire Protection
o Financial Analysis
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• Will be determined and presented for Council approval.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A