Needs AnalysisFull-Time Staffing Levels

Needs AnalysisFull-Time Staffing Levels

Michael A. Walker, Fire ChiefMichael A. Walker, Fire Chief

36 Personnel36 Personnel 13 Full-Time Staff 13 Full-Time Staff

Line Fire FightersLine Fire Fighters 5 FF/Paramedics5 FF/Paramedics 4 FF/EMT-I4 FF/EMT-I 1 Line Lieutenant EMT-I1 Line Lieutenant EMT-I

1 Inspector1 Inspector 26 Call Staff26 Call Staff

19 Firefighters19 Firefighters 7 Officers7 Officers

Shift ArrangementShift Arrangement 3-2-2-23-2-2-2

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

ApparatusApparatus Class A PumpersClass A Pumpers

Engine 1,3Engine 1,3 Total water Total water

2500 gallons2500 gallons RescuesRescues

Rescue 1Rescue 1 AmbulancesAmbulances

Ambulance 1,2Ambulance 1,2 Forestry TrucksForestry Trucks

Forestry 1,2Forestry 1,2

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

Pelham DemographicsPelham Demographics 1985-20001985-2000

populationpopulation increase of 30%increase of 30% 1985 1985 8,700people8,700people 20002000 11,500 people11,500 people

Tax expenditure per dollar for Yr 2000:Tax expenditure per dollar for Yr 2000: Fire Department: 2 centsFire Department: 2 cents Police Department: 6 centsPolice Department: 6 cents School District: 72 centsSchool District: 72 cents

Property Valuation: $623 Million for 2002Property Valuation: $623 Million for 2002

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

Pelham Demographics-Residential PropertyPelham Demographics-Residential Property

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

• Large Square FootageLarge Square Footage

•More Insulated ConstructionMore Insulated Construction

•Higher ConstructionHigher Construction

•More Difficult To ReachMore Difficult To Reach

•More water required for More water required for suppressionsuppression

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002as of11/02

New Homes

Continuing Growth of the TownContinuing Growth of the Town

Pelham Demographics-Commercial PropertyPelham Demographics-Commercial Property

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

Large Square Footage BuildingsLarge Square Footage Buildings Large HazardsLarge Hazards30,000 gallon LPG Tank30,000 gallon LPG Tank

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

Pelham Demographics-Commercial PropertyPelham Demographics-Commercial Property

•Tall Structures Not Accessible By Ground LaddersTall Structures Not Accessible By Ground Ladders

•Hazardous MaterialsHazardous Materials

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

Pelham Demographics-Multi-Unit ResidentialPelham Demographics-Multi-Unit Residential

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

AmbulanceFireMutual Aid

Breakdown by Type of CallBreakdown by Type of Call

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

920

940

960

980

1000

1020

1040

1060

1080

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Total EmergencyCalls

EMS Response EMS Response oror Medic 1Medic 1

1 Paramedic1 Paramedic 1 EMT-I1 EMT-I

At present if EMS call is a basic At present if EMS call is a basic life support call, the life support call, the paramedic frequently goes paramedic frequently goes out of town due to staffing.out of town due to staffing.

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

Apparatus & Personnel DeploymentApparatus & Personnel Deployment

Fire ResponseFire Response Engine 1Engine 1

2 personnel 2 personnel

2 personnel can do little at 2 personnel can do little at more than a room and more than a room and contents fire.contents fire.

Apparatus & Personnel Apparatus & Personnel DeploymentDeployment

What can we do now?What can we do now?TaskTask FirefightersFirefightersAttack Line/ SARAttack Line/ SAR 2 personnel2 personnelPump operationsPump operations UnmannedUnmannedWater SupplyWater Supply Not DoneNot DoneIncident CommandIncident Command Attack Line Attack Line

PersonnelPersonnelVentilationVentilation Not DoneNot DoneLoss PreventionLoss Prevention Not DoneNot Done

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

Staffing ConsiderationsStaffing Considerations Nationally Recognized StandardsNationally Recognized Standards

NFPA 1500: Standard on Fire Department NFPA 1500: Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health (2 in 2 out)Occupational Safety and Health (2 in 2 out)

8.4.7 “In the initial stages of an incident where only 8.4.7 “In the initial stages of an incident where only one crew is operating in the hazardous area at a one crew is operating in the hazardous area at a working structure fire, a minimum of 4 individuals working structure fire, a minimum of 4 individuals shall be required, consisting of 2 individuals working shall be required, consisting of 2 individuals working as a crew of 2 in the hazard area and 2 individuals as a crew of 2 in the hazard area and 2 individuals present outside the hazard area available for present outside the hazard area available for assistance or rescue at emergency operations where assistance or rescue at emergency operations where entry into the danger area is required “. entry into the danger area is required “.

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

Staffing ConsiderationsStaffing Considerations Nationally Recognized StandardsNationally Recognized Standards

NFPA 1500: Standard on Fire Department NFPA 1500: Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and HealthOccupational Safety and Health

8.5.1 “The fire department shall provide 8.5.1 “The fire department shall provide personnel for the rescue of members operating personnel for the rescue of members operating at emergency incidents”.at emergency incidents”.

8.5.2 “A rapid intervention crew shall consist of 8.5.2 “A rapid intervention crew shall consist of at least 2 members and shall be available for at least 2 members and shall be available for rescue of a member or a crew.rescue of a member or a crew.

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

Staffing considerations cont.Staffing considerations cont. Nationally Recognized StandardsNationally Recognized Standards

NFPA 1710: NFPA 1710: Standard for the Organization and Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire DepartmentsCareer Fire Departments

First-unit response time 4 minutes 90% of the timeFirst-unit response time 4 minutes 90% of the time Initial Full Assignment response time 8 minutes 90% Initial Full Assignment response time 8 minutes 90%

of the timeof the time Company Staffing 4 minimumCompany Staffing 4 minimum Assignment staffing 14/15/16/17Assignment staffing 14/15/16/17 Initial Arriving Company be able to place an IRIC Initial Arriving Company be able to place an IRIC

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

Staffing considerations cont.Staffing considerations cont. Nationally Recognized StandardsNationally Recognized Standards

OSHA 1910.134OSHA 1910.134 Set the benchmark for Deployment of Fire Set the benchmark for Deployment of Fire

Service OrganizationService Organization Provide safe operating practicesProvide safe operating practices Has been recognized nationally as the industry Has been recognized nationally as the industry

standardstandard

Tasks/Staffing Needed at a Structure FireTasks/Staffing Needed at a Structure FireTaskTask FirefightersFirefighters

Attack LineAttack Line 3 personnel3 personnel

Pump operationsPump operations 1 personnel1 personnel

Water SupplyWater Supply 1 personnel1 personnel

Search & RescueSearch & Rescue 2 personnel2 personnel

Ventilation/Utility ControlVentilation/Utility Control 2 personnel2 personnel

Incident Command/SafetyIncident Command/Safety 2 personnel2 personnel

Back-up lineBack-up line 3 personnel3 personnel

Rapid Intervention TeamRapid Intervention Team 2 personnel2 personnel

TOTAL:TOTAL: 16 Firefighters16 Firefighters

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

Staffing considerationsStaffing considerations ICMA: International City Managers ICMA: International City Managers

Association “Managing Fire Services”Association “Managing Fire Services”““Various controlled and statistically based Various controlled and statistically based

experiments by some cities and universities experiments by some cities and universities reveal that if about sixteen trained reveal that if about sixteen trained firefighters are not operating at the scene of firefighters are not operating at the scene of a working fire within the critical time period, a working fire within the critical time period, then dollar loss and injuries are then dollar loss and injuries are significantly increased, as are the square significantly increased, as are the square feet of fire spread.”feet of fire spread.”

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

Critical Element of TimeCritical Element of Time

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

0 3 5 6-10 120 3 5 6-10 12

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

NIOSH: NIOSH: Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, and Prevention Program, Line of Duty Line of Duty Death ReportDeath Report

Commonalities among reportsCommonalities among reports Ensure a RIT team is established and in position Ensure a RIT team is established and in position

immediately upon arrival.immediately upon arrival.

Ensure that adequate numbers of staffing are Ensure that adequate numbers of staffing are available to operate safely and effectively. available to operate safely and effectively.

RecommendationsRecommendations Add one firefighter to three shifts for a Add one firefighter to three shifts for a

total of three new firefighterstotal of three new firefighters This will give each shift 3 firefighters This will give each shift 3 firefighters

a 50% increase for 3 shiftsa 50% increase for 3 shifts Hire these firefighters to start Hire these firefighters to start

simultaneously, thereby preventing any simultaneously, thereby preventing any uneven distribution of personneluneven distribution of personnel

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

ImpactImpact Increased operational effectivenessIncreased operational effectiveness Increased safety for fire-fighting Increased safety for fire-fighting

personnelpersonnel Increased survivability for victimsIncreased survivability for victims Decrease in property lossDecrease in property loss

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis

Tax ImpactTax Impact

Average Assessed House Value for PelhamAverage Assessed House Value for Pelham

$250,000-$275,000$250,000-$275,000

Based on $275,000 =approx. $16.50/YearBased on $275,000 =approx. $16.50/Year

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

Pelham Fire Department Staffing Needs Analysis