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 1/2 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...
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