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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Miscellaneous_10/14/1992_Fire-Rescue Task Force E VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive a Tequesta, Florida 33469 -0273 • (407) 575 -6200 3 o Fax: (407) 575 -6203 B 4 T E Q U E S T A F I R E - R E S C U E T A S K F O R C E M E E T I N G M I N U T E S O C T O B E R 1 4, 1 9 9 2 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Fire - Rescue Task Force held a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, October 14, 1992 in the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida. The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Chairman Wade Griest. Task Force members in attendance were: Chairman Wade Griest, Mervin Crockett, Thomas J. Rodth, Alec Cameron, Dr. Stanley Jacobs, Hal Hutchinson and Sandy Linnan. Mayor Earl L. Collings was also in attendance. Staff members present were: Village Manager, Thomas G. Bradford; and Joann Manganiello, Village Clerk. Vice Chairman Robert Mortimer arrived at 4:33 p.m. and Councilmember Ron T. Mackail arrived at 4:40 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Boardmember Crockett asked to make a statement under Item VI, ANY OTHER MATTERS. Chairman Griest asked to cover under Item VI. ANY OTHER MATTERS the progress of the list of options for fire rescue service; and to read to the Board a letter from the Jupiter Town Manager. Boardmember Hutchinson pointed out that the name of the presenter under Item IV. for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue should be changed to Mike Iacona. Boardmember Jacobs moved that any Village citizens who wish to address the Board, (and excluding non - residents), sign in before the start of the meeting, holding their comments /questions until after all Board business had been handled. Boardmember Cameron seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Mervin Crockett - for Robert Mortimer - for Ron T. Mackail - for Thomas Rodth - for Alec Cameron - for Wade Griest - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - against Sandy Linnan - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. Recycled Paper Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes October 14, 1992 Page 2 --------------------- Boardmember Rodth moved that the Agenda be approved as amended. Boardmember Cameron seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Mervin Crockett - for Robert Mortimer - for Ron T. Mackail - for Thomas Rodth - for Alec Cameron - for Wade Griest - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - for Sandy Linnan - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (October 7, 1992) Boardmember Rodth moved to approve the Minutes as submitted. Boardmember Cameron seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Mervin Crockett - for Robert Mortimer - for Ron T. Mackail - for Thomas Rodth - for Alec Cameron - for Wade Griest - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - for Sandy Linnan - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. IV. PRESENTATION OF PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE - RESCUE SERVICE. Deputy Chief of Operations, Mike Iacona. Chief Iacona introduced Battalion Chief Michael Southard, Chief of EMS paramedic services throughout the County, Lt. John Bartlett, a station officer in north county, and Lt. Al Sierra, who would be assisting him in his presentation. Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes October 14, 1992 Page 3 --------------- - - - - -- Chief Iacona reminded the Board that they are dealing with a critical service when dealing with fire rescue, since it is a public safety function. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue provides fire rescue services throughout the Palm Beach County area - the unincorporated area and 11 municipal entities, with a services population of approximately 450,000 people. There are 817 total personnel operating from 26 full -time fire stations. In addition, they provide crash fire - rescue services at Palm Beach International Airport, fire prevention /public education and inspections /fire investigation services, with 24 -hour vehicle, building and radio maintenance personnel to assist with the 24 -hour service. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBC F /R) provides 9 -1 -1 Dispatching for all fire - rescue services, and private ambulance services throughout the county and the city. They provide fire and medication training for their personnel, guided by State Statutes for certification and education. PBC F/R emergency service personnel are staffed with 141 people daily, throughout the County, broken up into Battalions. Battalion One services the North County area through five stations: Station 11 (Tequesta) - 5 people; Station 12 (Hepburn Street) - 5 people; Station 14 (Jupiter Farms Road) -6 people; Station 15 (U.S. Hwy #1, Juno Beach) - 9 people; Station 16 ((Alt. A1A, Cabana Colony) - 5 people. Station 11 is staffed with two apparatus: a fire engine with 3 personnel (1 Fire Lt.; 1 Driver /Engineer; 1 Fire Fighter /EMT), and one fire - rescue vehicle with 2 personnel (Fire Fighter/ Paramedic). This is done with 7 people per shift (i.e., five daily and two necessary to insure 24 -hour coverage), 21 total personnel committed to Station 11 on an annual basis. For each alarm, there is a designated response of personnel and equipment, dependent upon the incident (i.e., to a structure fire is sent 2 engines, 1 rescue vehicle and a 1 chief officer (9 people) ; to a high -rise structure fire is sent 2 engines, 1 rescue vehicle, 1 ladder truck, and 1 chief officer (11 people) ; to rescue calls are sent 1 rescue vehicle with 2 people (if the rescue vehicle is busy, an engine will respond if it is closer than the first available rescue vehicle) ; severe rescue calls are responded to by a rescue vehicle, an engine and five people; car accidents receive one engine and one rescue vehicle and five people. Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes October 14, 1992 Page 4 --------------- - - - - -- Hazardous Materials incidences would be responded to by a Special Operations Unit from Station 22 (near 45th Street) , 2 engines and 1 chief officer for a total of 9 people. A mass casualty incident would be responded to by 2 rescue vehicles, 2 engines, 1 chief officer, 1 paramedic supervisor and 1 PIO, a total of 13 people. Because Tequesta has a daily staffing compliment of 5 people, any additional staffing would come from the next closest station, which is Station 12 (Hepburn Street). If a ladder truck, four wheel drive utility vehicle or paramedic supervisor was needed, that response would come from Station 15 (Juno Beach). Chief Iacona summarized the annual costs for Station 11: o personnel costs (salary and benefits) $1,118,250. o Supervisory Personnel, $70,000. o Operating Expenses, $29,948. o Support functions, $141,465. o Ladder service, $45,600. o Station 12 back -up, $94,891. o Fire Pumper, $17,875. o Rescue vehicle, $24,807. o Firefighter's clothing, $4,804. o Station equipment, $4,150. Chief Iacona pointed out that these are only initial expenditures. The Committee questioned the PBC F/R staff: Chairman Griest: What is the general coverage area in square miles, from Station 11? Answer: Station 11 services the entire Village of Tequesta, plus some of the surrounding unincorporated areas. chairman Griest: Is it true that the greater percentage of calls services from Station 11 are out of the Village of Tequesta? Answer: Remember Tequesta is not in a vacuum. Tequesta is in an one of the fastest growing areas on the east coast of the United States, there is lots of transportation in, through and around the area. If Tequesta was a stand -alone entity and was to be serviced only from that standpoint, it may be possible to curtail some of the service, but because Tequesta is not solely by itself in a rural area, it is necessary to look at the impact its location has. Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes October 14, 1992 Page 5 --------------------- Boardmember Mortimer: What are the Station 11 running areas? Answer: The Village of Tequesta proper, all of the unincorporated areas to County Line Road to the north, across the bridge on U.S. #1 to the Jupiter Beach Hilton. Station 12 also responds to these areas. Chairman Griest: Do you contract any part of your services to anybody? Answer: No. We have some mutual aid agreements with departments which can provide comparable levels of service. Chairman Griest: Explain to me firefighters' hours and pay. Answer: They work an average of 52 hours per week. In a two -week period, they work 104 hours. They work every third day, over an annual basis averaging 56 hours per week. Boardmember Rodth: Do you have your own 9 -1 -1 service department? Answer: Correct. When you dial 9 -1 -1 it goes into the Sheriff's Office, they determine what type of emergency it is, and transfer the call to the correct Dispatch Center. In the event of a fire or medical emergency, the call goes to PBC F /R, the necessary fire station is assigned, as well as the appropriate ambulance company, depending upon the zone. Boardmember Rodth: Could Tequesta have its own Dispatch Center? Answer: If you have the necessary equipment and staffing to do that. PBC F/R keeps six Dispatchers on duty at any given time in that Center. Boardmember Jacobs: My figures for 1991 show that 80% of the calls to Station 11 are for outside the Village of Tequesta. Tequesta has few fires. Its main concern is EMS. When vehicles from Station 11 are elsewhere, the response time declines. What happens when vehicles are elsewhere and a call comes into Station 11? Answer: Station 12 has a relatively low call volume also. This means the potential for availability is quite high. It balances out. Boardmember Jacobs: As far as costs are concerned for Station 11, perhaps only 20% of those should be allocated to Tequesta. Answer: If Station 11 was taken out of service, the direct reduction to our Budget would be $1.1M. Boardmember Jacobs: What are your projections for costs for taking over ALS services? Answer: Our projection would be no cost. We would only assume additional personnel, with the amount of revenue that is received. Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes October 14, 1992 Page 6 --------------------- Boardmember Crockett: Tequesta high rise condominiums are required to have sprinklers installed by May of 1993, since it appears to be impossible to provide ladder service for the upper floors. There being no ladder service available for the upper floors, there is in fact no rescue access except from the inside of the building, is that correct? Answer: Dealing with a high rise fire is much more difficult and detailed than a single family home. The ladder truck is to provide a means of egress when elevators are impassible, and /or to provide a stream of water to provide a curtain to reduce fire spread, making the effectiveness of ladder service operations minimal, at best. The best service for high rises is through sprinkler systems. Vice Chairman Mortimer: Could you provide for us the number of fire deaths, fire calls, fire calls and dollar loss, rescue calls, brush fires, the number of calls back up on mutual aid was used, number of major HASMAT calls for the last three years for Tequesta and Jupiter Inlet Colony? Answer: Yes. Vice Chairman Mortimer: What is the ISO (Insurance Service Office, rates on a scale of 1 -10 (1 being the highest) on the type of service an area receives) rating now? Answer: Juno - 4 ; Jupiter - 6; Countywide - 4, because of staffing increases and enhancements in service since consolidation. Vice Chairman Mortimer: What are the sprinkler requirements for new buildings? Answer: Requirements are gauged by the height of the building. Vice Chairman Mortimer: Do you have a per capita cost factor for PBC? Answer: Yes. Approximately $94 /per person. Chairman Mortimer: Do you divide your fire stations in your Budget? Answer: We have decentralized our process. We have broken them down into different regions, which act as stand -alone entities. According to station needs, a Battalion Chief is assigned who interacts with the area and knows the station needs. They prepare their Budget and PBC oversees the allocation of funds. Vice Chairman Mortimer: What are the plans for building at Section 6 at Gun Club, and does Tequesta help support that? Answer: That is County -owned property, in the area adjacent to the jail, which is earmarked for a fire - rescue and emergency facility. Yes, Tequesta does help support that. Vice Chairman Mortimer: What is the status of the $54M Bond Issue and what would the estimated cost be to taxpayers? Answer: We plan to continue to pursue a Bond Issue. The estimated cost factor can be provided to you. Boardmember Rodth: What is the status of the plans to relocate the Hepburn Street station? Answer: Funding is allocated but have not yet secured the land. Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes October 14, 1992 Page 7 --------------- - - - - -- George Andres, County Line Road: Who protects unincorporated areas if Tequesta is independent? Answer: Palm Beach County would maintain a rescue vehicle at Station 11. Betty Nagey: What happens when two 9 -1 -1 calls come in simultaneously? Answer: Station 11 and 12 work together, with a response time of less than 3 minutes. Councilmember Mackail left the meeting at 5:45 p.m. Richard Berube: ISO may not effect the rating, but it will effect insurance costs, and will effect commercial properties more than residential. Village Manager Bradford: How many hours does a man work on average per week? Answer: Presently fifty two. Village Manager Bradford: How many shifts before their kelly day? One in 14. They work in 14 -day cycles. For every 14 shifts that they're on duty, they receive one shift off. Village Manager Bradfored: Will that change? Answer: It is scheduled to change January 1, going to one and 9, which is a 50 hour work week. PBC has hired 54 additional people to maintain that reduction. V. DISCUSSION OF STATUS OF JUPITER HOSPITAL, INC., TARE OVER OF NORTH COUNTY AMBULANCE, INC. (Hart Ransdale, Associate Administrator, Jupiter Medical Center). Mr. Ransdale explained that his appearance at this meeting was not to make a presentation but to answer questions. North County Ambulance (NCA) brings approximately 200 patients /month to the Jupiter Hospital Emergency, causing a tremendous amount of contact between the hospital and NCA. NCA transports 30- 35 patients per month out of Jupiter Hospital to other facilities. A contract between NCA and Jupiter Hospitalize is expected to be finalized within 2 -3 weeks, fully operational within the next 2 -4 weeks. Hal Hutchinson: Questions the quality of the performance of NCA and stated he could name specific incidences which prove to him that NCA was not only spread too thin, but also cannot adequately supply the service needed by Tequesta. Mr. Ransdale answered that Jupiter Hospital has found that they have been served better by NCA than other ambulance services. Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes October 14, 1992 Page 8 Boardmember Rodth: Will NCA be a revenue generator for the hospital - will it be self- sustaining? Answer: We hope we will be breaking even. Mayor Collings: Who is the main manager? Answer: The person who manages NCA reports directly to me and I report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital. Boardmember Jacobs: What kind of personnel and ambulances would be dedicated to Tequesta. Answer: One ambulance with a paramedic and one or two EMTs with backup from other ambulances. Boardmember Jacobs: How is the cost of transport handled? Answer: It would probably be as it is presently charged. Pert Towne: How many ambulances will you maintain and do you expect to move NAC closer to Jupiter Hospital? Answer: There will be six ambulances and, there are no plans to move NAC. Peter Allen, North County Ambulance, stated that he felt almost certain that Mr. Hutchinson was mistaken in his belief that NCA does not respond to some calls and asked for an opportunity to speak with Mr. Hutchinson, get the specifics on those calls to which Mr. Hutchinson alleges NAC did not respond, and clear up the allegation; if NAC was not responding to the call, Mr. Allen will inform the Task Force of such; and if NAC did respond to the call, he would like the Task Force to know that, as well. Mr. Allen further reported that NAC is required by PBC to respond to 96% of all calls to which they are asked to respond, and allowed to call for back up on 4% of the total calls. NAC is required to have two units on in Zone 1 from Donald Ross Road to Jonathan Dickinson Park. Even now, when additional responsibilities have been taken on in Palm Beach Gardens, NAC still has 3 units on for 12 hours during the daytime in Tequesta, going down to the 2 which are required by the County. Most of the time NAC is overstaffed for the need. VI. ANY OTHER MATTERS Chairman Griest read to the Board a letter from the Jupiter Town Manager to Village Manager Bradford regarding the Lease for Station 11, asking the Village to reconsider termination of such lease. Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes October 14, 1992 Page 9 --------------------- Boardmember Jacobs stated he was disappointed in the Village Council decision to postpone writing the letter to Palm Beach County to terminate the lease at Station 11 and moved that the Task Force recommend once again that Council authorize the Village Manager to write such letter without delay. Boardmember Crockett seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Mervin Crockett - for Robert Mortimer - for Thomas Rodth - for Alec Cameron - for Wade Griest - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - against sandy Linnan - for the motion was therefore passed and adopted. Boardmember Crockett, direct representative of the 44 taxpaying residents of Tequesta Towers, and another 325 taxpaying residents of Beach Road, stated that it was his understanding that these residents represent 25% of the total assessment for Tequesta. These residents are very interested in the outcome of the Fire Rescue Task Force. It appeared to Mr. Crockett that, though everyone's input is appreciated, a number of people seem to be more interested in protecting the interests of PBC F/R than considering the best interests of the citizens of Tequesta. Input that causes delay in the decision - making process, however, is not appreciated. The Task Force is seeking to determine if equal or better service is possible at a significantly lower cost. After hearing presentations of several qualified and competent entities for providing fire - rescue service, it was Mr. Crockett's recommendation: 1) that the Village issue an RFP to all interested service providers for a detailed proposal of service and cost, to be submitted within 3 weeks, to cover the Village of Tequesta and the Jupiter Inlet Colony; 2) that a detail study be made regarding cost and related matters, for setting up an independent system for the Village and the Inlet Colony; and 3) that there be developed mutual aid agreements with Martin County to provide back -up coverage. Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes October 14, 1992 Page 10 --------------- - - - - -- Village Manager Bradford reported that he is working on compiling numbers for cost estimated of independent fire - rescue service for Tequesta with different scenarios: 1) fire only, contract rescue; and 2) provide own fire - rescue, doing EMS in- house. This information should be complete in two weeks. Boardmember Crockett recommended that a specific proposal be developed for RFPs. It was determined that would be discussed at the next Fire Rescue Task Force meeting. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no other matters before the Board, Chairman Griest moved that the meeting be adjourned. Boardmember Hutchinson seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Mervin Crockett - for Robert Mortimer - for Thomas Rodth - for Alec Cameron - for Wade Griest - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - for Sandy Linnan - for the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Fran Bitters ,0 Recording Secretary Date Approved: ATTEST: oann Manganie o Village Clerk