Needs Analysis Full-Time Staffing Levels Michael A. Walker, Fire Chief

ä 36 Personnel ä 13 Full-Time Staff ä Line Fire Fighters ä 5 FF/Paramedics ä 4 FF/EMT-I ä 1 Line Lieutenant EMT-I ä 1 Inspector ä 26 Call Staff ä 19 Firefighters ä 7 Officers ä Shift Arrangement ä Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

ä Apparatus ä Class A Pumpers ä Engine 1,3 ä Total water 2500 gallons ä Rescues ä Rescue 1 ä Ambulances ä Ambulance 1,2 ä Forestry Trucks ä Forestry 1,2 Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

ä Pelham Demographics ä ä populationincrease of 30% ä ,700people ä ,500 people ä Tax expenditure per dollar for Yr 2000: ä Fire Department: 2 cents ä Police Department: 6 cents ä School District: 72 cents ä Property Valuation: $623 Million for 2002 Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

ä Pelham Demographics-Residential Property Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis Large Square Footage Large Square Footage More Insulated ConstructionMore Insulated Construction Higher ConstructionHigher Construction More Difficult To ReachMore Difficult To Reach More water required for suppressionMore water required for suppression

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis Continuing Growth of the Town

Pelham Demographics-Commercial Property Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis Large Square Footage Buildings Large Hazards 30,000 gallon LPG Tank

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis Pelham Demographics-Commercial Property Tall Structures Not Accessible By Ground LaddersTall Structures Not Accessible By Ground Ladders Hazardous MaterialsHazardous Materials

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis Pelham Demographics-Multi-Unit Residential

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis Breakdown by Type of Call

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

ä EMS Response or ä Medic 1 ä 1 Paramedic ä 1 EMT-I At present if EMS call is a basic life support call, the paramedic frequently goes out of town due to staffing. Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis Apparatus & Personnel Deployment Fire Response Fire Response ä Engine 1 ä 2 personnel 2 personnel can do little at more than a room and contents fire. 2 personnel can do little at more than a room and contents fire.

ä Apparatus & Personnel Deployment What can we do now? TaskFirefighters Attack Line/ SAR2 personnel Pump operationsUnmanned Water SupplyNot Done Incident CommandAttack Line Personnel VentilationNot Done Loss PreventionNot Done Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

ä Staffing Considerations ä Nationally Recognized Standards ä NFPA 1500: Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health (2 in 2 out) ä “In the initial stages of an incident where only one crew is operating in the hazardous area at a working structure fire, a minimum of 4 individuals shall be required, consisting of 2 individuals working as a crew of 2 in the hazard area and 2 individuals present outside the hazard area available for assistance or rescue at emergency operations where entry into the danger area is required “. Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

ä Staffing Considerations ä Nationally Recognized Standards ä NFPA 1500: Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health ä “The fire department shall provide personnel for the rescue of members operating at emergency incidents”. ä “A rapid intervention crew shall consist of at least 2 members and shall be available for rescue of a member or a crew.

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis ä Staffing considerations cont. ä Nationally Recognized Standards  NFPA 1710: Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments ä First-unit response time 4 minutes 90% of the time ä Initial Full Assignment response time 8 minutes 90% of the time ä Company Staffing 4 minimum ä Assignment staffing 14/15/16/17  Initial Arriving Company be able to place an IRIC

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis ä Staffing considerations cont. ä Nationally Recognized Standards ä OSHA ä Set the benchmark for Deployment of Fire Service Organization ä Provide safe operating practices ä Has been recognized nationally as the industry standard

Tasks/Staffing Needed at a Structure Fire TaskFirefighters Attack Line3 personnel Pump operations1 personnel Water Supply1 personnel Search & Rescue2 personnel Ventilation/Utility Control2 personnel Incident Command/Safety2 personnel Back-up line3 personnel Rapid Intervention Team2 personnel TOTAL:16 Firefighters Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

ä Staffing considerations ä ICMA: International City Managers Association “Managing Fire Services” “Various controlled and statistically based experiments by some cities and universities reveal that if about sixteen trained firefighters are not operating at the scene of a working fire within the critical time period, then dollar loss and injuries are significantly increased, as are the square feet of fire spread.” Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

ä Critical Element of Time Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis ä NIOSH: Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, Line of Duty Death Report Commonalities among reports ä Ensure a RIT team is established and in position immediately upon arrival. ä Ensure that adequate numbers of staffing are available to operate safely and effectively.

ä Recommendations ä Add one firefighter to three shifts for a total of three new firefighters ä This will give each shift 3 firefighters a 50% increase for 3 shifts ä Hire these firefighters to start simultaneously, thereby preventing any uneven distribution of personnel Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

ä Impact ä Increased operational effectiveness ä Increased safety for fire-fighting personnel ä Increased survivability for victims ä Decrease in property loss Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

ä Tax Impact Average Assessed House Value for Pelham $250,000-$275,000 Based on $275,000 =approx. $16.50/Year

QUESTIONS? Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis