HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-02-2014 - 1-3ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ORANGE COUNTY CHIEF'S ASSOCIATION
JOINT MEETING AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 2, 2014
SUBJECT: Joint BOCC/Chief's Meeting Discussion Items
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) I No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment 1: EMS /9 -1 -1 Update
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jim Groves, 919-245-6140
Jason Shepherd, 919 - 245 -5151
PURPOSE: To provide an opportunity for the Board of Commissioners and the Chief's
Association to receive information on several topics of interest and to review and discuss those
topics.
BACKGROUND: The BOCC has met with the Fire and Rescue Chiefs in previous years to
discuss ongoing emergency service operations, budgets, initiatives, etc. This meeting provides
the opportunity for those conversations to continue between the BOCC and the Chiefs. The
items for update and discussion include the following:
1. Status Updates
This item provides the opportunity for the BOCC and Chiefs to receive an update on the
Comprehensive Assessment of EMS &Communications Center Operations. In addition
an update will be provided on areas in Orange County that either are, or have been,
outside a six (6) mile Fire Department district.
a) Emergency Medical Services /9 -1 -1 Update — A report dated October 2012 was
prepared by Solutions for Local Government, Inc. (also known as the Allen Report)
regarding improvements needed to the Orange County Emergency Medical
Services (EMS) and Communications Center Operations. This update will
address EMS and 9 -1 -1 response times, as well as provide a status update for
each of the 19 recommendations identified in the report.
b) Update on Coverage for Insurance Issues (Remaining Areas Outside Six (6)
Road Miles) — An update will be provided on several initiatives that are underway
that will help homeowners realize reduced insurance premiums by developing
agreements between Fire Departments that will put the majority of homeowners in
Orange County within six (6) road miles of a fire station. Those areas outside of
the six (6) mile area will also be addressed.
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2. Training
This item provides the opportunity for discussion between the Fire Chiefs and the BOCC
relating to training issues and opportunities.
a) collaboration with Durham Technical community college — Fire continuing
education through Durham Technical Community college has seen a reduction in
funding, and as a result, continuing education courses within Orange County have
been reduced. According to Durham Tech representatives, the funding reductions
occurred at the state level.
b) opportunity for County Training Facility — The need for a local training facility
was discussed during the last Chief 7s meeting. The need for a local training facility
was considered by the BOCC several years ago, but a final resolution was never
determined. This topic will provide an opportunity to re -open those conversations.
3. open Discussion
This item provides an opportunity to discuss several issues and opportunities relating to
Fire Department response.
a) VIPER Radio System —The State owned and operated Voice Interoperability
Plan for Emergency Response (VIPER) radio system is not meeting the needs of
emergency response agencies within Orange County. This topic provides an
opportunity for an open discussion between the Fire Chiefs and the BOCC
regarding the need for a robust and resilient radio communications system.
b) Emergency Medical Services Co- location — On March 19, 2013 the BOCC
approved an agreement with the Orange Rural Fire Department to co- locate one
(1) EMS unit at the Phelps Road Station. Subsequently the BOCC has approved
agreements with Orange Grove, Carrboro, and New Hope Fire Departments to co-
locate EMS units at their stations as well. This item provides an opportunity for the
BOCC to hear from the Fire Chiefs on how the co- location initiative is working out.
c) False Alarm Discussion —Many times the Fire Departments are dispatched to
false alarms, often occurring at the same address. The Fire Departments and
Orange County Emergency Services (OCES) Fire Marshals Division has limited
options to encourage a facility owner to correct an issue with a faulty alarm system
(or homeowner /employee error in activating /deactivating the system). This topic
provides an opportunity for the BOCC to hear from the Fire Chiefs and OCES Fire
Marshal regarding potential solutions.
d) Other —This item provides the opportunity for the Board and Chiefs to discuss any
other items that may be of interest.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: This is no financial impact anticipated as a result of these discussions on
the topics listed above.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board and Chiefs receive
updates on the identified issues and opportunities noted above and discuss as necessary.
ATTACHMENT 1
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ACRONYMS
ALS - Advanced Life Support {I ntermediate / Paramedic}
AVL - Automatic Vehicle Location
BLS - Basic Life Support (Medical Responder/ EMT)
CAD - Computer Aided Dispatch
EMD - Emergency Medical Dispatch
EMS - Emergency Medical Service
CCES - Crange County Em ergency Se rvices
QA - Quality Audit and Improvement
QRV - Quick Response Vehicle
SCRS - South Orange Rescue Squad
VH F - Very High Frequency
VIPER - Voice I nteropera b i I ity Plan for Emergency Responders
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EMS
Operations
EMS STATISTICS
Call Volume Comparison By Year
2014 = 8,763 (year to date)
Projecting 11,564 for 2014, w/o severe weather or significant event
2013 = 12,369
Reduction in call volume is because the number of move -ups is now limited with the
addition of M -9 (Orange Grove FD) as well as the geographic dispersion of our co-
located units.
2012 = 13,445
Average Response Time Comparison By Year (Chute + Travel)
2014 = 5:19 (year to date)
90th percentile is 14:55 (first time below 15 minutes!)
2013 = 9:00
2012 = 10:30
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EMS RECOMMENDATIONS
R -1 Adjust M -5 and M -8 Coverage Hours (complete)
Based on recent geographic call data (North /South)
M -5 coverage remained Cam -Cpm (unchanged)
M -8 coverage changed to Cpm -Cam
R -2 Add additional ambulance 9am -9pm (complete)
M -9 added 8am -8pm based on recent geographical call data
Co- located at 0range Grove FD
EMS RECOMMENDATIONS
R -3a &b Use SO IRS for BLS and bring on BLS ambulance {on- going}
EMD data does not support implementation
Discussions to utilize SORS from Cpm -Cam for BLS calls with EMS supervisor
"chasing" calls potentially as early as 1/1/2015
If Alpha or Bravo turn into something more serious, the EMS supervisor can be
there to provide ALS patient care
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EMS RECOMMENDATIONS
R -4 Assess Fire Department capabilities for First Responder {on- going}
With the EMS co- location initiatives with the Fire Departments, this
recommendation may become null
R -5a I mplement Fire Department First Responder I nitiative (on- going)
With the EMS co- location initiatives with the Fire Departments, this
recommendation may become null
Working with the Orange County Medical Director to enable Fire Departments that
wish to provide ALS (EMT Intermediate) to do so. Implementation may begin 15/16
R -5b QRV Initiative (null)
Offered as an alternate recommendation to R -5a
EMS RECOMMENDATIONS
R -5 Staff & Equip six (5) ALS ambulances (on- going)
OCES is requesting one new (1) ambulance each year to replace older units
Monitoring effectiveness of program each year
Intent is to not over - purchase or over -staff
Call volume and response times drive units and staffing
M -5 6:00am- 6:OOpm (co- located at Orange Rural Phelps Road Station) wi
become a 24 hour unit in 15/16 (if current data holds true)
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EMS RECOMMENDATIONS
R -7 Hire Paramedic Level Sh ift Su pervisor 24/7 {Complete}
Four (4) Assistant Supervisors implemented 1/1/2014
Asst. Supervisors will be reclassified to Supervisors on 1/1/2015
This tiered approach enables the Asst. Supervisors to be mentored for one year
before being released
R-8 Prepare a space needs assessment (90% complete)
Stewart Cooper Newell awarded contract on 10/1/2013
Staff met with firm the week of 10/7/2013 to begin space needs assessment
Draft space needs assessment presented to CCES on 3/5/2014
Revised space needs assessment presented to CCES on 5/20/2014
EMS RECOMMENDATIONS
R -9 Identify nine (9) strategic locations for future EMS base (in- process)
Integral part of the Stewart Cooper Newell discussions
Co- location or co -build with Fire Departments may require modification of this
recommendation due to the success of the co- locations thus far
Orange Rural
Orange Grove
Ca rrbo ro
New Hope
Hillsborough /Orange Rural (potential co -build in 15/16 and 16/17)
In 14/15 CIP
Chapel Hill (co- location /co -build in 15/16 and 16/17)
In 14/15 CIP
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EMS RECOMMENDATIONS
R -1O Obtain sites for development (not started)
Based on outcome of R -S and R -11
R -11 Procure EMS planning and design services (not started)
Co -build with Chapel Hill and Hillsborough/Orange Rural
In 14/15 CIP for year two (2) and three (3)
Stand -alone EMS station in 14/15 CIP for year five (5)
R -12 Advertise, bid, construct EMS facilities (not started)
Based on outcome of R -S, R -14 and R -11
9 -1 -1
Operations
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9 -1 -1 COMMUNICATIONS STATISTICS
Call Comparison By Year
2014 (year to date)
Incoming = 70,371 (year to date)
Project over 93,000 calls by the end of year
Average Dispatch Time = 1 :33
New NFPA 1221 Standard (July 2013) is 1:36
9 -1 -1 Call Answer Time = % answer time < 15 sec = 99.06%
New NFPA 1221 Standard (July 2013) is < 15 sec 95%
2013 (Changed CAD from Logisys to Sun Guard 0neSoIution in July 2413)
Incoming = 87,007 & Average Dispatch Time = 1:25
2012 (Logisys CAD)
Incoming = 83,476 & Average Dispatch Time = 1:52
9 -1 -1 RECOMMENDATIONS
R -13 Hire full time Data Systems Manager (complete)
Craig Blackwood was promoted to Data Systems Manager
Mr. Blackwood retired 9/27/2413
Mr. Kevin Medlin was promoted to Data Systems Manager on 10/18/2013
R -14 H ire full time Training/Quality Assurance Officer (complete)
Josh Robinson promoted from Telecom municatorto Training/QA Officer
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9 -1 -1 RECOMMENDATIONS
R -15 Hire additional Training/QAOfficer (complete)
Ms. Laurie Piche was hired at began employment on 4/21/2414
R -16 & V H i re Tel ecom m un icator positions (in- process/on- going)
Hired four (4) new Telecom municators in January, 2414
Completed interviews 6/5/2014 and made offers to four (4) candidates
With these (4) candidates on- board, 9 -1 -1 still has nine (9) Telecom municator
vacancies due to attrition/retirement/performance
Telecom municator advertisement open through October 2414 to fill vacancies
Five (5) additional Telecommunicator positions are proposed to be added FY 16/17
and seven (7) more Telecom municator positions in FY 18/19
The proposed staffing need in FY 18/19 may be reduced based on operational
efficiencies realized by new technology implementation in the 9 -1 -1 Center
9 -1 -1 RECOMMENDATIONS
R -18 Purchase AVL hardware for new EMS vehicles (complete)
All units outfitted with AVL
All new units will be outfitted with AVL
R-19 Provide informational meetings with emergency respondersto share new
software capabilities {complete / on- going}
9 -1 -1 Users Group re- activated
Members of each response organization are represented
Information shared during Chiefs Association meeting
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QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
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