HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 01-24-2012 - 8b 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: January 24, 2012
Action Ageng�—
Item No.
SUBJECT: Charge of the Emergency Services Workgroup
DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Talbert, Assistant County
Manager, 245-2308
PURPOSE: To provide to the Board a recommendation for the Charge for the Emergency
Services Workgroup.
BACKGROUND: On November 17, 2011 the Board of Orange County Commissioners met to
discuss with staff several issues and recommendations to enhance the delivery of emergency
services. Staff presented: 1) Review of the VIPER Original Design and Implementation and.
Strategies to Improve Coverage and Capacity; 2) E911 Center Improvement Plan; 3)
Discussion with the Board of County Commissioners Regarding Plans to Improve the
Emergency Medical Services Delivery System; 4) Review of Fire Department Issues Relating to
Fire Protection Districts, Fire Insurance Districts and Fire Tax Districts as Related to Property
Insurance Ratings; and 5) Summary of Financial Implications to Provide Emergency Services
Coverage, Capacity and System Improvements.
On December 13, 2011 the Board directed staff to bring a plan back for consideration that
established a workgroup to provide recommendations for Board action to improve overall public
safety service levels and improved fire insurance coverage for County homeowners.
The workgroup, as directed by the Board, will consist of inembers from the volunteer and
municipal fire and rescue group, two municipal law enforcement senior officers, a representative
from the Sheriff's Office, the Emergency Services Director, Medical Director, two County
Commissioners, and two citizen volunteers. The citizen appointments for the Emergency
Services Workgroup will be addressed in Agenda Item 12-b of this meeting.
The Charge for the Emergency Services Workgroup will be to provide recommendations to the
Board on how to best improve Public Safety and the Emergency Services delivery system in
Orange County. The recommendations will include a review of available alternatives, the
financial impact to the County, and an implementation timeline for the following divisions that
are an integral part of the Orange County Emergency Services delivery system:
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1. VIPER system improvements.
2. Solutions relating to Fire Protection Districts, Fire Insurance Districts and Fire Tax
Districts.
3. System improvements for EMS Ambulance response times including but not limited to
equipment, staffing, facilities and/or a strategic plan.
4. Improvements for the E911 Communications Center including but not limited to
technology, equipment, staffing, training and/or a strategic plan.
5. Compare Orange County Emergency Services to similar sized counties in North
Carolina, including but not limited to staffing, equipment, technology, infrastructure,
performance and costs.
6. The Fire Departments' Strategic Plan.
The Board of County Commissioners requested a timeline for the Emergency Services
Workgroup. There are many unknowns regarding the direction of the Workgroup, but the
charge and the timeline will be the first items discussed by the Emergency Services Workgroup
and will report back to the Board on February 7, 2012.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The approval of the Charge for this Workgroup will have no financial
impact on the County.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proposed
Charge for the Emergency Services Workgroup, and give direction to staff as to changes in the
Charge.