Agenda Item Wording:
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Discussion and potential action regarding the implementation of Phase 2 of the Fire Department’s Measure N Squad Program.
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Deadline for Action: 2/7/2022
Submitting Department: Fire Department
Contact Name and Phone Number: Dan Griswold, 559-713-4220
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends Council discuss and initiate the process of implementing Phase 2 of the Fire Department’s Measure N Squad Program which includes paramedic staffing and vehicle.
Background Discussion:
Measure N was approved by the voters in November 2016. The measure is a ½ cent Sales Tax Override that provides for essential city services such as police, fire, recreation, parks, and roads. The measure uses a detailed 10-year plan which includes hiring of personnel, funding capital projects, and equipment purchases. The plan also included the development and implementation of a single-role paramedic squad program, operated by the Fire Department, as a means of enhancing the level of service to the Citizens of Visalia. The vehicles and staffing were to be implemented in two phases: Squad 1 in FY 18/19 and Squad 2 in FY 22/23.
Phase 1 of the Squad Program was completed when the City of Visalia purchased Squad 51, hired EMS Coordinator Ryan Munger, hired three single-role paramedics, and began operation on June 7, 2021. From June 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021, there were a total of 5,004 EMS/Rescue incidents. Of these incidents, Squad 51 responded to 897; 18% of the total EMS/Rescue incidents.
Where the value of providing an enhanced service and adding redundancy to the operation during critical incidents and events is somewhat difficult to quantify, Fire Administration, with the help of GIS¸ can track some metrics that begin to reveal some cost-offsetting features of the program. Using data pulled from the departments apparatus GPS tracking, GIS was able to determine that 3,296 miles were driven by all fire apparatus responding to medical calls for service from June 1, 2021 through October 31, 2021 (five months). Of these miles, 477 miles, or about 12.5% of the total miles, were by Squad 51. It is important to note that the actual miles saved on fire apparatus is greater than what is cited above because the miles reported are only those miles driven en route to an incident and do not include miles driven, and saved, after a call is completed and the unit returns to the station or destination. In the absence of Squad 51, these additional miles would have likely been traveled by fire apparatus were the cost of maintenance/mile is greater. With the addition of the second squad, it is reasonable to presume a similar number of miles saved on fire engines and trucks.
Fire Administration is now proposing Phase 2 of the squad program to fulfill the Measure N program goals and objectives. In summary, Phase 2 adds:
1. Three, 40 hour/week paramedic positions for the second squad.
2. One squad vehicle.
Staffing and Schedule:
Fire Department Administration proposes staffing the program’s second squad with three, single-role paramedics. This is the same staffing level as the current squad. This staffing level and model allows for Squad 51 to normally be in service Monday through Saturday, ten hours a day. Staffing the second squad with the same staffing level, would allow for a second squad Monday through Friday and for squad coverage on Sunday. When fully staffed, the squad program would provide squad support to the Department’s operation with two squads in service Monday through Friday and one squad in service on Saturday and Sunday.
Below is a visual representation of total fire department responses from April 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021. The chart has the information broken out by day of the week and hour of the day. Additionally, call volume is indicated by the shade of green with the darker the shade indicating periods of higher call volume. Using this information, Fire Administration has determined that the period of peak call volume is between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm daily and Monday through Friday has a higher call volume proportionately throughout the day than Saturday and Sunday.
This analysis supports the proposed squad coverage of having two squads in service during the peak time of each day during the week and moving to one squad in service on the weekend. Staffing the squad units during periods of peak call volume facilitates efficient response to incidents during the time when the system is more stressed. The other recognized value of the squads has been their availability to provide coverage and service during large scale incidents that require multiple fire resources and during other fire related trainings, inspections, public education events, etc. Battalion chiefs are using the Squad 51 to provide medical aid coverage to the areas of the City impacted by such incidents or activities. The squad units will also continue to be used during special events and details like the 4th of July and the Candy Cane Lane parade.
Staff is recommending the above staffing to establish the Measure N project objective of implementing two squad units with single-role paramedics. Fire Administration is expecting recruitment for Squad paramedics to be challenging given the challenge had during the Squad 51 recruitment and challenges paramedic agencies in the Central Valley and Statewide are having. If this is the case, Fire Administration recognizes the need to be flexible with the schedule as we add paramedics and fill expected vacancies. Where scheduling may need to be flexible, Fire Administration will continue to prioritize the periods of the days and week where squads can add the most value to the service to the community.
Squad Vehicle
This proposal includes the addition of the second squad vehicle. Fire Administration is recommending a vehicle comparable to the current Squad 51. Squad 51 is a 2019 Ford Expedition outfitted with emergency lighting, radios, and necessary emergency medical equipment. Except for a few weaknesses, the vehicle has proven effective. Other drivers not consistently seeing and identifying the squad as an emergency vehicle is the primary issue identified with the current squad vehicle. The vehicle is equipped with standard emergency lighting and sirens, and we have added some enhanced siren technology and traffic signal pre-emption controls to the unit to operate in traffic more safely. Securing and storing the necessary equipment has been the other inefficiency with the current unit. It is important to have equipment secured in the vehicle and to also have it easily accessed and readily available. Fire Administration will look to modifying the storage area and systems of the current squad to improve equipment storage in the second squad.
Recommendation
Staff recommends starting the process to amend the Measure N budget to hire 3 additional paramedics and to purchase the second squad vehicle.
To amend the Measure N budget the following actions are necessary:
• City Manager makes a recommendation to City Council and makes changes as requested during the Council approval process.
• Comments and recommendation received by Measure N Oversight Committee.
• Two public Hearings are held at regular Council Meetings to consider recommendation to amend expenditure plan (tonight is the second public hearing)
If approved, staff will schedule a meeting with the Measure N Oversight Committee.
Fiscal Impact:
Measure N sales tax is broken into 4 different components that are tracked separately: Essential Services, 2% Youth Programs, 8% Emerging Needs & Building Maintenance, and Economic Uncertainty Fund. Each category is tracked in its own fund so the cash is never comingled. The Essential Services category is 90% of the sales tax collected and funds majority of the plan, including the Measure N Squad program. The estimated on-going cost for Phase 1 and Phase 2 is listed below:
As mentioned earlier, both phases were part of the original plan. Measure N revenues continue to be higher than the original plan which as allowed for the plan to be advanced when needed. Attached is a revenue and expense projection for the Measure N Essential Fund.
Prior Council Action: April 15, 2019 City Council Meeting, Fire proposed an original version for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Measure N Squad Program. On July 15, 2019, City Council approved the implementation of Phase I plan that included requested modifications from the Measure N Oversight Committee.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Provide comments for Fire Administration to consider, research, and return to Council with additional information and/or a modified proposal.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to accept the proposed plan for Phase 2 of the Fire Department’s Measure N Squad Program and for staff to seek comments and a recommendation from the Measure N Oversight Committee.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Squad Phase 2 Presentation