Item 2: Functional Consolidation of Fire Departments

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JEO OINT LECTED FFICIALS AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: Functional Consolidation of Fire Departments Meeting Date: December 7, 2009 Agenda Item Number: 2 Department: Eugene Fire & EMS Staff Contact: Randy Groves, Chief Springfield Fire & Life Safety Dennis Murphy, Chief ISSUE STATEMENT Based on a 2009, consulting firm report and internal analysis, the city managers and fire chiefs are recommending initiation of preliminary steps for a functional consolidation of the Eugene and Springfield fire departments as a means of reducing costs and providing for metro-wide service efficiencies. The term “functional consolidation” refers to a consolidation of some of the administrative and support functions of the fire departments (similar to the Three-Battalion System now used in emergency response metro-wide). It is not a full merger of the departments, but a series of incremental (though reversible) steps toward a full merger, assuming those steps prove successful. BACKGROUND In an era of financial challenge, new and creative solutions are necessary for sustaining core community services, particularly in fire, rescue, and EMS. To that end, plans now include initiation of steps that feature new and more efficient ways to provide services by skillfully combining the strengths of both fire departments through the use of multi-role, multi-skilled personnel and eliminating unnecessary duplication. Preliminary efforts were initiated in June 2007, by effectively eliminating jurisdictional boundaries for the purposes of emergency fire, rescue, first-response EMS, hazardous materials and ambulance transport. The closest and most appropriate resource is dispatched, regardless of jurisdiction. This approach, known as the Three-Battalion System, has resulted in faster initial response to emergencies as well as better backup coverage to ensure that a safe level of resources are available throughout the metro area. The only tangible cost has been in a limited amount of staff time and the minimal cost of renumbering fire stations and vehicles into a single cohesive system. Earlier this year, the two departments commissioned a study of potential further collaboration by Emergency Services Consulting International (ESCI). The study results were presented to elected officials in June, and discussed at a follow-up meeting in September. In their report, the consultants concluded that circumstances are favorable for the two departments to combine their administrative and support functions. In particular, ESCI noted, several positions in both departments are either vacant or soon to be vacant, and could remain so under consolidation, producing significant savings. The total personnel cost avoidance at full implementation is forecast at $851,275. Future savings realized through streamlined support operations and economies of scale would add to that number. Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M091207\s0912072.doc