Fire Services Ad Hoc CommitteeNext Steps on Placer County Sustainable Fire/EMS ServicesJune 23, 2020

Fire Services BOS Workshop

The Future of Fire/EMS Services for

the Placer County Fire Department

(PCFD)

October 20, 2020

Fire Services Workshop

Proposed Format

Recap Impetus for Fire/EMS Review

Share Ad Hoc Committee Perspectives

Outline PCFD Service & Fiscal

Challenges

Update BOS on Fire Services Work to

Date

Affirm BOS Direction on Next Steps

2

Impetus for Fire/EMS

BOS Review

▪ Review of Distressed Fire Services (Jenine Windeshausen, 2017)

o Fire service costs outpaced revenues/Property tax

insufficient to cover basic services

o Level of service decreases will escalate fire insurance

rates/ cancellations to economic detriment of County

▪ Fire Service in Western Placer County (County Executive Office,

2018)

o Charter of Fire Services Ad Hoc Committee

o Strategy for long-term sustainable fire services for PCFD

3

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Fire Services Assessment

Standard of Cover (July 2019)

▪ Study conducted by Matrix Consulting Group

▪ Scope of Work: Assessment of Fire Department

operations, response capabilities, and

appropriate staffing levels

▪ Also analyzed: Response time criteria,

regionalized 911 dispatching procedures, and

performance metrics associated with a

regionalized 911 system

5

Fire Services Assessment

Standard of Cover (July 2019)Key Recommendations

STAFFING/LEVEL OF SERVICE

Increase the minimum staffing of the currently staffed

engine companies from 2 personnel to 3 personnel and

improve the response with advanced life support.

EXPANDING SERVICES/NEW DEVELOPMENT

Work with county staff to ensure the construction and

staffing of the fire stations are suitable for the developed

area.

DISPATCH SERVICES

Ensure ability to monitor call processing, turnout time, and

travel time. Consider a CAD to CAD transfer system. Monitor

impact of new developments on baseline travel time.

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Scope of Work

▪ Systemwide financial assessment

▪ Review of revenues/expenditures within each

ZOB

▪ Incorporate additional capital needs

(facilities and equipment)

▪ Incorporate Standards of Cover staffing

recommendations and associated costs

▪ Identify opportunities for restructuring

expenditures across ZOBs

PCFD Fiscal Sustainability

Goodwin Analysis (July 2020)

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PCFD Fiscal Sustainability

Goodwin Analysis (July 2020)

Data Provided for Analysis

▪ FY 19-20 Budgets for all ZOBs/Fire Control Fund

▪ Reserve balances for all ZOBs/Fire Control Fund

▪ FY 19-20 direct charges/special assessments for

each ZOB

▪ Cost to bring facilities to an acceptable level of

repair

▪ Cost to replace outdated apparatus

▪ Assessor Parcel Numbers, Tax Rate Areas, County

Use Codes, and population data for each ZOB

8

Analysis Assumptions

▪ 2.0% annual increase in assessed values for

property tax calculations

▪ 2.4% annual increase in direct charge

revenues for applicable ZOBs

▪ 3.0% annual increase in CAL FIRE personnel

costs

▪ 2.0% annual increase for all other revenues

and other expenses.

PCFD Fiscal Sustainability

Goodwin Analysis (July 2020)

Fire Service Ad Hoc Committee

2018 – Present

▪ Chartered by BOS in May 2018; convened June

2018

▪ Work to date includes:

o Evaluated standards of cover (SOC) study/

associated costs for recommended service

levels

o Assessed long term fire/EMS fiscal sustainability

o Conducted fiscal analysis of LOS alternatives

o Prioritized need to stabilize fiscal outlook

before optimizing service delivery model

▪ Report to Board of Supervisors (Oct 2020)

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Placer County Fire DepartmentCounty-CAL FIRE Partnership

Local Service & Regional Depth

▪ High quality local fire protection/life safety

services

▪ Competitive cost per call as compared to other

independent districts

▪ Mutual aid services to other independent fire

districts 11

PCFD Service Model at a Glance

12

•Regionally competitive cost per call (4th lowest in Placer

County)

•Highest call volume of all fire agencies in the unincorporated

county

•Largest fire/EMS service area (475 sq. mi.)

•Asset Protection/Life Safety

•$6.7 billion in private property and infrastructure

•19,000 residences (more structures in SRA than any CA

county)

•58,000 people

•Amador stations

➢ Significant factor in reducing the cost per call

➢ Leverages state and local resources

➢ Year-round fire services provided by three stations at a

Placer County Fire Department

Mutual Aid Responses Provided

Average Cost Per Call: $1,561.00

Data Source: CAL FIRE 13

PCFD

14

Countywide Benefits Provided by

Placer County Fire Department

▪ Technical Rescue Team (TRT)

▪ Tactical EMS Support Program

▪ Central HazMat Team

▪ Fire Marshal/Fire Planners/Fire Prevention Bureau

▪ Placer County Volunteer/Resident Firefighter

Program

▪ PCFD Radio Communications Support

▪ Truck 77, Truck 180, Boat 180, Boat 77, BS 182,

Water Tenders, and USAR Program

▪ EMS and ALS Program Management

▪ Training Bureau

▪ OES Region 4 Dispatching

▪ PCFD Mutual Aid to Districts

▪ Command and Control for all wildland fires within

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Assessment (Per Parcel) - $78.38 Property Taxes - N/A

Assessment (Per Parcel) - $48.00Property Taxes - $2.4M

Assessment (Per Parcel) - $88.06 Property Taxes - N/A

Assessment (Per Parcel) - N/A Property Taxes - $49K

Assessment (Per Parcel) - $226.16 Property Taxes - $877K

Assessment (Per Parcel) - $925.53/acre Property Taxes - N/A

Assessment (Per Parcel) - $684.85Property Taxes - N/A

Placer County Fire – CSA 28 Zones of Benefit

FY 19/20

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Placer County Fire Department ChallengesServices, Equipment/Facilities, Fiscal Sustainability

Varying levels of service among Zones of Benefit (ZOBs)

• Career vs volunteer firefighters

• Basic Life Support (BLS) vs Advanced Life Support

(ALS)

• Station staffing

Inadequate equipment replacement

Substandard facilities maintenance

Deficit spending in 5 of 7 Zones of Benefit (ZOBs)

• Dry Creek

• Dutch Flat

• North Auburn/Ophir

• Sunset

• Western Placer

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17

PCFD/ZOB Stations Station Type ALS/BLS

Fire Control Fund* 10, 30, 33, 701 Career

3 Amador

1 pt. time ALS

3 BLS

Bickford Ranch** N/A N/A N/A

Dry Creek 100Career/Volunteer

combination stationBLS

Dutch Flat 32 Volunteer BLS

North Auburn Ophir 180, 182 2 Career BLS

Sheridan 78 Volunteer BLS

Sunset 77 Career ALS

Western Placer 74, 75 Volunteer BLS

Placer County Fire Department/ZOBs Level of Service Overview

April 2020

*Fire Control Fund includes PCFD Chief Officers, 2 Fire Planner, Hazmat, Technical Rescue and Water Rescue Teams, a systemwide

personnel relief pool, one career fire station (#70), and three Amador Stations in Alta, Bowman, and Colfax. It also provides a cost

share for engine and equipment replacement.

**Fire station planned with 1st stage of development. 17

SymptomBasic Life Support (BLS)

Stabilizes Patient for TransportAdvanced Life Support (ALS)

Provides Critical Medical Intervention

Chest PainBasic assessment, obtain patient history,

vital signs, administer oxygen

Advanced assessment, 12-lead EKG to diagnose abnormal

heart rhythms, establish an IV and administer fluids, administer

medications/drugs, administer pain medications

Difficulty Breathing

Basic assessment, obtain patient history,

vital signs, administer oxygen

Advanced assessment, diagnose lung sound abnormalities,

advanced airway management techniques, administer

medications and breathing treatments, IV fluids

Diabetic EmergenciesBasic assessment, obtain patient history,

vital signs, administer oxygen, administer

oral glucose if patient is conscious

Advanced assessment, blood glucose check, IV fluids,

administer Dextrose and other necessary medications

Allergic

Reaction/Anaphylaxis

Basic assessment, obtain patient history,

vital signs, administer oxygen, administer

epi-pen

Advanced assessment, administer IV fluids, administer

Benadryl, administer epinephrine via IV or shot, administer

breathing treatments

CPR

Basic assessment, obtain patient history,

perform CPR, utilize automated external

defibrillator (AED)

Advanced assessment, 12-lead EKG to diagnose abnormal

heart rhythms, perform defibrillation/cardioversion/cardiac

pacing, perform advanced airway management

(intubation), administer cardiac medications/drugs, establish

an IV and administer fluids

Traumatic Emergencies

Basic assessment, obtain patient history,

vital signs, administer oxygen,

immobilization and splitting

Advanced assessment, fluid replacement, pain management

through narcotic administration, chest decompression,

needle cricothyrotomy, advanced hemorrhage control

Most Frequent Placer County Fire Department 911 CallsBLS vs. ALS Response

(Nearly 80% of Calls for Service)

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Placer County Fire Department (PCFD)

Level of Service

Current Level of Service: 2-0/BLS except Station 77 (Casino)

2019 Standards of Cover Study Recommended Service Level: 3-0/ALS

Greater efficiency

in Fire/EMS services

Better health

outcomes

Data Sources:National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST)

Increased safety for

firefighters

Improved property

conservation

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Direct charge does not cover current service costs

▪ Dry Creek

▪ Dutch Flat

▪ North Auburn/Ophir

▪ Sunset

▪ Western Placer

Inadequate funding for equipment replacement

Historically substandard facilities maintenance

Deficit Spending by ZOBs

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Future PCFD Alternatives for ZOBs

Scenario 1: Close current LOS funding gap without

addressing deficient equipment/facilities needs

Scenario 2: Close current LOS funding gap and

address equipment and facilities needs

Scenario 3a: Scenario 2 + Standardize EMS

Services to provide ALS services

Scenario 3b: Scenario 3a + Standardize EMS Services to

provide ALS and increase staffing to three staff per

apparatus

21

Placer County Fire Department Estimated Gap

FY 2019-20 through FY 2024-25

Source: Placer County; Goodwin Consulting Group, Inc.

22

Placer County Fire Department

Estimated Reserves and Cumulative Fund Balance by Scenario (in Millions)

2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25

Scenario 1: Current LOS

Sc 1: Beginning Balance $7.9 $4.4 $0.5 ($3.6) ($8.0) ($12.7)

Operating Surplus/(Deficit) ($3.6) ($3.8) ($4.1) ($4.4) ($4.7) ($5.0)

Ending Balance $4.4 $0.5 ($3.6) ($8.0) ($12.7) ($17.7)

Scenario 2: Scenario 1 and Maintenance/Replacement Costs

Sc 2: Beginning Balance $4.4 ($0.2) ($5.8) ($11.7) ($18.2) ($25.1)

Master Apparatus Replacement Costs ($0.7) ($0.7) ($0.9) ($1.3) ($1.3) ($1.1)

Maintenance Costs to Maintain FCI ("Fair") n/a ($0.8) ($0.6) ($0.5) ($0.5) ($0.4)

Ending Balance $3.7 ($1.7) ($7.3) ($13.5) ($20.1) ($26.6)

Scenario 3a: Scenario 2 and ALS Costs

Sc 3a: Beginning Balance $3.7 ($1.9) ($8.0) ($14.5) ($21.5) ($28.3)

Advanced Life Support (ALS) Costs ($0.3) ($0.4) ($0.4) ($0.4) ($0.4) ($0.4)

Ending Balance $3.4 ($2.3) ($8.3) ($14.9) ($21.8) ($28.7)

Scenario 3b: Scenario 3a and Std of Cover Study Costs (i.e., 3 personnel per unit)

Sc 3b: Beginning Balance $3.4 ($2.3) ($9.3) ($16.9) ($24.9) ($32.8)

Std of Cover Study Implementation Savings / (Expenses) n/a ($1.0) ($1.0) ($1.0) ($1.1) ($1.1)

Ending Balance $3.4 ($3.3) ($10.3) ($17.9) ($25.9) ($33.9)

Source: Placer County; CalFire; Goodwin Consulting Group, Inc.23

Placer County Fire Department Zones of Benefit Fiscal Impact Analysis

Comparison of Direct Charge Rates (FY 2019-20) and Average Annual Deficits per DUE

North

Dry Dutch Auburn/

Bickford Creek Flat Ophir Sheridan Sunset Western

Zone of Benefit (ZOB) Ranch Fire Fire Fire Fire Fire Placer

CSA 28 28 28 28 28 28 28

Zone 189 165 150 193 6B 97 76

Station(s) n/a 100 32 180/182 78 77 73/74/75

Residential (per DU) $685 $226 $78 $48 n/a n/a $88

Commercial/Industrial n/a n/a n/a $0.09 per SF n/a Greater of n/a

$48 Min $0.09 per SF or

$300 Max- Protected $926 per Acre

$600 Max- Unprotected

Average Deficit per DUE in FY 2020-21 1

Sc 1: Net Fiscal Impact n/a $75 $1 $72 n/a $284 $7

Sc 2: Sc 1 and Maint/Rplc Costs n/a $183 $172 $105 $37 $331 $53

Sc 3a: Sc 2 and ALS Costs n/a $210 $172 $127 $37 $331 $53

Sc 3b: Sc 3a and Std of Cover Study Costs n/a $297 $172 $184 $37 $237 $53

(i.e., 3 personnel per unit)

Cumulative Deficit per DUE in FY 2020-21

Sc 1: Net Fiscal Impact $685 $301 $80 $120 n/a $284 $95

Sc 2: Sc 1 and Maint/Rplc Costs $685 $409 $250 $153 $37 $331 $141

Sc 3a: Sc 2 and ALS Costs $685 $436 $250 $175 $37 $331 $141

Sc 3b: Sc 3a and Std of Cover Study Costs $685 $523 $250 $232 $37 $237 $141

(i.e., 3 personnel per unit)

1 These deficits are in addition to existing direct charges.

Source: Placer County; Goodwin Consulting Group, Inc.

24Note: On Dec. 12, 2017, the Bickford Ranch property owner petitioned, and the Board approved an amendment to CSA 28,

ZOB 189 and revised the charges to the current annual assessment of $633.79 (to include annual CPI adjustment).

Placer County Fire Department Alternatives

Average Cost per Call by Scenario

Source: Placer County; Goodwin Consulting Group, Inc. 25

Comparative Fire Service Costs in Placer County

Data Sources:

Calls for service: CAL FIRE and PCSO

Budgeted expenditures were obtained from districts’ FY 19/20 budgets

An estimation was utilized for Alta FPD as no budget was available for review

$428

$1,350 $1,556 $1,561 $1,632 $1,668 $1,766 $2,246

$2,657

$3,866 $4,298

$6,323 $6,694

$10,900

Alta FPD (Volunteer) Penryn FPD Scenario 2 Scenario 3b Foresthill FPD Truckee FPD Squaw Vallley PSD

Average Cost Per Call (2019)

+ Average Cost per Scenario

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Next Steps Toward Sustainable

Fire/EMS Protection in Placer County

Status Quo: Fund Increased

Costs/Reduce Services

Legacy Patchwork: Propose ZOB

Charges to Close Fiscal Gap and

Address Service Deficiencies

New Community Facilities District:

Evolve ZOBs to Fiscal/Service

Model to Keep Pace with Costs

27

Status Quo for

Fire/Emergency Services

▪ Fund increased PCFD costs for FY 21-

22

▪ Reduce PCFD services as needed to

maintain FY 20-21 spending levels

▪ Other PCFD alternatives

28

$6

85

$2

26

$7

8

$4

8

$-

$-

$8

8

$6

85

$3

01

$8

0

$1

20

$-

$2

84

$9

5

$6

85

$4

09

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50

$1

53

$3

7

$3

31

$1

41

$6

85

$4

36

$2

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75

$3

7

$3

31

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23

$2

50

$2

32

$3

7

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37

$1

41

$-

$100

$200

$300

$400

$500

$600

$700

$800

Bickford Ranch Dry Creek Fire Dutch Flat Fire North

Auburn/Ophir Fire

Sheridan Fire Sunset Fire Western Placer

Residential (per DU) Sc 1 Sc 2 Sc 3a Sc 3b2

Legacy Patchwork

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Cumulative Deficit per DUE

30

Mello-Roos Community Facilities Districts to

Fund Fire Protection Services

CFDs for New Development Projects

▪ Landowner election - one vote per acre or portion of

acre owned within the CFD; 2/3-vote needed

▪ Maximum special taxes set to pay service costs

associated with a particular project

▪ Properties can annex into CFD in an accelerated

manner after the initial CFD formation

▪ Tax is disclosed to homeowners when home is

purchased

31

Mello-Roos Community Facilities Districts to Fund Fire Protection Services

CFDs for Existing Development

▪ Registered-voter election – 2/3 of votes must be in favor

of CFD formation or annexation into CFD

▪ CFD can include one project or multiple projects with

separate tax zones if different rates will apply

▪ Boundaries of CFD do not need to be contiguous

▪ Process to annex into CFD is virtually the same as

process to form a new CFD

Next Steps Toward Sustainable

Fire/EMS Protection in Placer County

BOS direction to achieve sustainable quality

service

Outreach to develop consensus to close fiscal

gaps

Follow-up with BOS for policy direction/action

Implementation of action plan 32

Fire Services Ad Hoc CommitteeNext Steps on Placer County Sustainable Fire/EMS ServicesJune 23, 2020

Fire Services BOS Workshop

The Future of Fire/EMS Services for

the Placer County Fire Department

(PCFD)

October 20, 2020