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 Responder safety  Closest, most appropriate unit  Effective and efficient response  Cost Effective Operation  Utilization of resources 3

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Call Processing Time- Measured between acknowledgement of the call at the HEC and the time the fire station is notified of the emergency. Turnout Time- Measured from the time the fire station is notified until the first unit is en route. Travel Time- Measured from the time the first unit leaves the fire station (en route) and arrives at the scene of the emergency. All three components of the response time are combined to make up the Total Response Time. 5

 Average- Historically this method has been used by the fire service to report response times.  Fractile- Response times are reported at 90% fractile. This number will be higher than an average response time. 6

 A requirement by CFAI* to maintain agency accredited status.  A term used to measure fractions of data, when added together, create a whole. * Commission on Fire Accreditation International – A Division of the Center for Public Safety Excellence. 7

HFD Response Times (mm:ss) Dec 2011 Average Time 1 st Arriving Unit Fractile Time 1 st Arriving Unit Call Processing Time 1:362:05 Turnout Time0:541:34 Travel Time4:347:15 Total Response Time 7:0410:54 8

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a comprehensive self-assessment and evaluation model that enables fire and emergency service organizations to: ◦ examine past, current, and future service levels and performance and compare them to industry best practices. ◦ improve service delivery by helping fire departments:  determine community risk and safety needs.  evaluate the performance of the department.  establish a method for achieving continuous organizational improvement. 15

Complete a rigorous self-assessment ◦ Address 253 performance indicators ranging from operations to health and safety to facility maintenance Develop a Strategic Plan ◦ Forecasting how the department plans to meet its goals for the future Develop a Standard of Cover ◦ Indicating the department has assessed fire and non- fire community risks and developed baseline and benchmark service level objectives to meet those risks. ◦ Service level performance is documented and validated for at least three years prior. 16

 HFD began the self-assessment process in 1998 and received its first Accreditation in March  In March 2006, HFD was re-Accredited.  In March 2011, HFD was re-Accredited again. 17

 The fire protection agency has identified community risk and safety needs.  Emergency service performance has been evaluated and meets the need of the community.  A method for achieving continuous organizational improvement has been established. 18

Assure colleagues and the public that they have definite missions and objectives that are appropriate for the jurisdictions they serve Provide a detailed evaluation of the services they provide to the community Identify areas of strength and weakness within the department Create methods or systems for addressing deficiencies while building organizational success Encourage professional growth for both the department and its personnel Provide a forum for the communication of organizational priorities Foster national recognition by colleagues and the public Create a mechanism for developing strategic and program action plans 19

Houston is the largest accredited municipal fire department in the world. The United States has 2,162 paid career fire departments. 93 of those departments are accredited. Three of those departments serve populations over 1 million: ◦ Houston Fire Department ◦ Miami-Dade Fire Rescue ◦ Orange County Fire Authority 20

DepartmentSquare Miles Population served Fire Stations Uniformed Personnel Operating Budget Calgary Fire Department million381, million (FY09) Houston Fire Department million923, million (FY12) Miami-Dade Fire Rescue 1, million652, million (FY10) Orange County Fire Authority* million61 (10 reserve) 1,091 (390 reserve) 405 million * Paid/Reserve combination department 21

etyexcellence.org/age ncy- accreditation/about- accreditation- cfai.aspx etyexcellence.org/age ncy- accreditation/about- accreditation- cfai.aspx HFD Staff Services Division: