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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 10-14-2025; 1 - Discussion Topics-Presentation from Orange County Chiefs’ Association r j ID October 14 , 2025 Joint Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners and the Fire Chiefs Association 2 Topics for Discussion • Departmental Updates : Administration and Accomplishments • Tropical Storm Chantal : Successes and Challenges • Preparing for the Future • Open Forum : Q&A Z Departmental Updates ORANGE ou ran a escue . . Squad Chief: Matthew Mauzy Accomplishments • Volunteers completed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification and field training to be able to operate independently • Provided free Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training throughout the community • Provided Emergency Medical Services standby coverage for numerous special events throughout the county • Provided technical rescue response locally and throughout the state, including swiftwater rescue and large-area search and rescue 4 .:; and Fire R- 1 Department Fire Chief: Kevin Brooks Insurance District (ISO Rating): West Orange (3) Accomplishments • Completed renovations at Efland Station 2 • Took delivery of a new fire engine and placed it into service • Conducted a fire academy to complete certification requirements for three members • Three members completed North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician certification Orange Rural Fire Department Fire Chief: Jeff Cabe Insurance District (ISO Rating): Town of Hillsborough (3) Central Orange (3) Accomplishments • In the process of constructing a training facility near Orange Rural Station 1 • Improved insurance rating in Town of Hillsborough and Central Orange Fire Districts • Conducted two fire academies to complete certification requirements for new personnel END Eno ire �. Department FIRE RESCUE Fire Chief: Daylon Hayes Insurance District (ISO Rating): East Orange (4) Accomplishments • Placed a new heavy rescue response apparatus in service t4EW HOPS ewHopeFire 1 o: F4 � Department FIRE DEP7. Fire Chief: William Blankenship Insurance District (ISO Rating): Orange New Hope (4) Accomplishments • Ordered a new fire engine • Updated water rescue equipment • Working to update other rescue equipment • Improving static water points • Preparing for an upcoming insurance rating inspection • Actively recruiting for multiple full- and part-time positions • Improving volunteer recruitment and retention efforts �RpTIGE GRpyF Orange Grove Fire di E It P Department FIRE DEPL Fire Chief: Ricky Baker Insurance District (ISO Rating): Cane Creek (5) Accomplishments • Significant (20%+) increase in call volume • Increased part-time firefighter coverage • Began permitting process for expansion of Orange Grove Station 2 • Continued renovations at Orange Grove Station 1 to improve energy efficiency • 6,430 hours provided by members including training classes and incident response 10 Cedar rove Fire Department Fire Chief: Jeff Borland Insurance District (ISO Rating): Cedar Grove (5) Accomplishments • Added three new volunteer members • Applied for zero percent interest loan through Piedmont Electric for New Engine that was ordered June 2024 (anticipated delivery October 2026) 10 Caldwell . 7 . Departmen FARE Q. Fire Chief: Brad Allison Insurance District (ISO Rating): Caldwell (4) Accomplishments • Increase in volunteer members • Ordered new brush truck • Completed station renovations at Caldwell Station 1 • Purchased additional rope rescue equipment • Two members graduated from the ACC Fire Academy/EMT Class • Maintained insurance rating for the Caldwell fire district • Received grant to replace tires on Tankers 733 & 743 11 � 12 White Cross Fire T WHITE CROSS g Department Fire Chief: Phillip Nasseri Insurance District (ISO Rating): White Cross (4) Accomplishments • Volunteer memberships are up two percent in the last 12 months • New fire engine delivery expected in December • Contuined collaboration with the Chapel Hill High School Firefighter program. • Held an open house, over 300 community members attended • Participated in an event with NC State Extension Master Grader program of Orange County, at Blackwood farms showcasing the departments large animal rescue capabilities and hosted a children's fire safety education area 12 13 Carrboro Fire = Rescue Department Fire Chief: Will Potter Insurance District (ISO Rating): Town of Carrboro (1 ) South Orange (2) Accomplishments • Improved insurance rating in Carrboro and South Orange Fire District • Hired a new Deputy Chief of Operations • Completed restructuring process and increased staffing to increase efficiency and effectiveness • Executed a contract for aerial ladder truck replacement • Updated the department's annual training plan 13 14 V{APEL Hic, Ch apel H Department �iFIFEFSCUE Fire Chief: Jay Mebane Insurance District (ISO Rating): Town of Chapel Hill (2) Greater Chapel Hill (2) Aerial and engine on order • Beginning construction documentation for Chapel Hill Station 4 replacement • Beginning site feasibility study for Chapel Hill Station 3 replacement in partnership with Orange County EMS • Call volume on track to increase approximately 15-20% in 2025 • Discussion initiated for relocation of training center currently located beside Chapel Hill Station 4 on Weaver Dairy Road 14 ■ Mebane I re HEgy C � w C epartment 1922 s � Fire Chief: John Wellons Insurance District (ISO Rating): Town of Mebane (2) East Alamance (3) Accomplishments • Hired new Assistant Chief of Operations • Certified 30 members in Confined Space rescue • Placed new Engine 2 in service • Ordered a new Ladder truck • Added three new Lieutenants 15 North C Fire Department Fire Chief: Matt Ingold (Interim) Insurance District (ISO Rating): North Chatham (3) Damascus (3) Accomplishments • Chief John Strowd retired after 51 years of service • Improved insurance rating in North Chatham and Damascus fire districts • Promoted one captain and two lieutenants • Finished renovations at North Chatham Station 2 • Began a full scope Emergency Medical Technician program • Three new apparatus on order: Two engines and an aerial platform 16 17 Tropical Storm Chantaim. Successes and Challenges y wa`erlrestue 18 Calls Received to O 911 Water Rescue Water Re Brut 7 953 water Rescue Watec Rescue Water Remo Water Rescue Incidents Dispatched WaterReswe r' Water�es�ue Waite Am! filet��a wafer Rescue 2 05 water RmueOq H litiho ovph Struttural(glEdRx 1Nater�ReStUR Water Restuej; Related Incidents by Typia 1 $9 YVater Rescue 9� 1 Hangup Treeing Water Crash or Road Rescue Accident itructufalCollapse 219 474 90 70 75 waurResw WVC Due to Flash Flovd'• Fl�al Exposure Electfta( Water in Water r in Fire Alarm ��+tructu re St nit IuroI CDILyp&e Hazard Cor lapse WaterRestue ftl rRe5cue � Structure Road , p Water Rescue 54 53 42 33 8 19 Successes • Emergency protocols were successfully implemented and performed as intended under operational stress. • The exceptional dedication and performance of personnel were instrumental in ensuring the safety of the community. • Effective collaboration with partner agencies proved to be a critical component of the successful response . 19 20 Challenges • Tropical Storm Chantal formed and made landfall with little to no advance notice, challenging standard preparedness timelines and forcing the immediate execution of emergency protocols. • The storm event resulted in severe and widespread impacts. • Downed trees and flooding blocked roads, created access limitations throughout the county. • Significant challenges were encountered in maintaining communications and situational awareness. • The scale of the incident exceeded local response capabilities, necessitating assistance from state resources. • Some apparatus and equipment was damaged during response to the storm. 20 21 Emergency Communications 22 Completed Projects • Implementation of the Automated Dispatch System • Migration to the Statewide VIPER TDMA Radio Platform • In-Building Communications Enhancement: Bi- Directional Antenna (BDA) Project • Public Safety Radio Fleet Modernization Initiative (ARPA-Funded ) 22 23 Scheduled Projects • Upgrade radio infrastructure and strategically expand VIPER network coverage . • Enhance the performance and reliability of the public safety paging system . • Execute the full replacement of the current Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD ) system . 23 Preparing for the Future 25 Strategic Planning The Orange County Chiefs Association has initiated a strategic planning process to define the organization's future direction and enhance its service to the community. • Define a unified vision and mission • Setting clear goals and priorities 25 26 Emergency Operations Planning • Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment • Countywide Comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan 26 27 Request for Continued Support • Countywide Interoperable Communications Plan Development • Situational Awareness & Coordination Resource Enhancement • Resiliency and Continuity of Operations (COOP) Planning • Technical Rescue Capability Development 27 Questions and Discussion