Transcript Needs Analysis Staffing

Needs Analysis
Full-Time Staffing Levels
Michael A. Walker, Fire Chief
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis

36 Personnel

13 Full-Time Staff

Line Fire Fighters





1 Inspector
26 Call Staff



5 FF/Paramedics
4 FF/EMT-I
1 Line Lieutenant EMT-I
19 Firefighters
7 Officers
Shift Arrangement

3-2-2-2
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis

Apparatus

Class A Pumpers



Rescues


Rescue 1
Ambulances


Engine 1,3
Total water
2500 gallons
Ambulance 1,2
Forestry Trucks

Forestry 1,2
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis

Pelham Demographics

1985-2000

population



8,700people
11,500 people
Tax expenditure per dollar for Yr 2000:




1985
2000
increase of 30%
Fire Department: 2 cents
Police Department: 6 cents
School District: 72 cents
Property Valuation: $623 Million for 2002
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis

Pelham Demographics-Residential Property
• Large Square Footage
•More Insulated Construction
•Higher Construction
•More Difficult To Reach
•More water required for
suppression
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis
140
120
100
80
60
New Homes
40
20
0
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
as of
11/02
Continuing Growth of the Town
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis
Pelham Demographics-Commercial Property
Large Square Footage Buildings
Large Hazards
30,000 gallon LPG Tank
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis
Pelham Demographics-Commercial Property
•Tall Structures Not Accessible By Ground Ladders
•Hazardous Materials
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis
Pelham Demographics-Multi-Unit Residential
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis
700
600
500
400
Ambulance
Fire
Mutual Aid
300
200
100
0
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
Breakdown by Type of Call
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis
1080
1060
1040
1020
1000
Total Emergency
Calls
980
960
940
920
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis
Apparatus & Personnel Deployment
 EMS

Response or
Medic 1


1 Paramedic
1 EMT-I
Fire Response

Engine 1

2 personnel
At present if EMS call is a basic 2 personnel can do little at
life support call, the
more than a room and
paramedic frequently goes
contents fire.
out of town due to staffing.
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis
Apparatus & Personnel
Deployment
What can we do now?

Task
Attack Line/ SAR
Pump operations
Water Supply
Incident Command
Ventilation
Loss Prevention
Firefighters
2 personnel
Unmanned
Not Done
Attack Line
Personnel
Not Done
Not Done
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis

Staffing Considerations

Nationally Recognized Standards

NFPA 1500: Standard on Fire Department
Occupational Safety and Health (2 in 2 out)

8.4.7 “In the initial stages of an incident where only
one crew is operating in the hazardous area at a
working structure fire, a minimum of 4 individuals
shall be required, consisting of 2 individuals working
as a crew of 2 in the hazard area and 2 individuals
present outside the hazard area available for
assistance or rescue at emergency operations where
entry into the danger area is required “.
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis

Staffing Considerations
 Nationally

Recognized Standards
NFPA 1500: Standard on Fire Department
Occupational Safety and Health


8.5.1 “The fire department shall provide
personnel for the rescue of members operating
at emergency incidents”.
8.5.2 “A rapid intervention crew shall consist of
at least 2 members and shall be available for
rescue of a member or a crew.
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis

Staffing considerations cont.

Nationally Recognized Standards
 NFPA 1710: Standard for the Organization and Deployment
of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical
Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career
Fire Departments





First-unit response time 4 minutes 90% of the time
Initial Full Assignment response time 8 minutes 90%
of the time
Company Staffing 4 minimum
Assignment staffing 14/15/16/17
Initial Arriving Company be able to place an IRIC
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis

Staffing considerations cont.




Nationally Recognized Standards
 OSHA 1910.134
Set the benchmark for Deployment of Fire
Service Organization
Provide safe operating practices
Has been recognized nationally as the industry
standard
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis
Tasks/Staffing Needed at a Structure Fire
Task
Firefighters
Attack Line
Pump operations
Water Supply
Search & Rescue
Ventilation/Utility Control
Incident Command/Safety
Back-up line
Rapid Intervention Team
3 personnel
1 personnel
1 personnel
2 personnel
2 personnel
2 personnel
3 personnel
2 personnel
TOTAL:
16 Firefighters
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis

Staffing considerations
 ICMA:
International City Managers
Association “Managing Fire Services”
“Various controlled and statistically based
experiments by some cities and universities
reveal that if about sixteen trained
firefighters are not operating at the scene of
a working fire within the critical time period,
then dollar loss and injuries are significantly
increased, as are the square feet of fire
spread.”
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis

Critical Element of Time
0
3
5
6-10
12
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis

NIOSH: Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation
and Prevention Program, Line of Duty
Death Report
Commonalities among reports


Ensure a RIT team is established and in position
immediately upon arrival.
Ensure that adequate numbers of staffing are
available to operate safely and effectively.
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis

Recommendations
 Add
one firefighter to three shifts for a
total of three new firefighters
 This will give each shift 3 firefighters
a 50% increase for 3 shifts
 Hire these firefighters to start
simultaneously, thereby preventing any
uneven distribution of personnel
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis

Impact
 Increased
operational effectiveness
 Increased safety for fire-fighting
personnel
 Increased survivability for victims
 Decrease in property loss
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis

Tax Impact
Average Assessed House Value for Pelham
$250,000-$275,000
Based on $275,000 =approx. $16.50/Year
Pelham Fire Department Staffing
Needs Analysis
QUESTIONS?