mechanicsburg fire consolidation steering committee presentation

7/29/2019 Mechanicsburg Fire Consolidation Steering Committee Presentation

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Steering Committee for the Consolidation ofCitizens Fire & Rescue Company #2 and

Washington Fire Company No. 1

Findings and Framework for the Future ofFirefighting in Mechanicsburg


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Committee Meetings Met monthly since November 2012

1.5 hour per meeting (often longer)

Open dialogue, open agenda


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Topics Covered inMeetings Benefits of consolidation

Fundraising

State of existing fire houses

Future of firefighting in Mechanicsburg


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FindingsFirst:

This current consolidation effort is a culminationof past efforts.

We would like to acknowledge the efforts of all

of those who have come before us on this path.


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Findings

Second:

We determined that the primary goal of thiscommittee should be:

To determine if a consolidation is possible and if

so, is a consolidation practical and if so, topresent a general framework for such a

consolidation, not a detailed plan.


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FindingsThird:

We reviewed the financials of the firecompanies and determined that the finances of

the two fire companies would not be animpediment to consolidation.


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FindingsFourth:Tangible Benefits of Consolidation Include:

Shared manpower

Shared assets

Reduced equipment and apparatus

requirements

Efficiencies in operations and management Efficiencies in fundraising

Renewed interest in serving the community.


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FindingsFifth:

The volunteers of both houses are forced tospend an inordinate amount of time fundraising.

This takes time away from their ability to train,

drives down morale, and creates difficulties in

recruiting and retaining members.


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FindingsSixth:

The current model for funding the firecompanies is inadequate to meet the long-termneeds of the community. Most critically, agingequipment and apparatus cannot be replaced

due to lack of funding.


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Findings

Seventh:

Current fire houses are nearing obsolescenceand endanger the safety and well being of the

volunteers. It is not practical or prudent to investthe money needed to correct safety issues due

in part to the functional restrictions present.


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Findings

Eighth:Most prudent course for modernizing fire house

facilities is to construct new facilities, rather thanrenovating existing facilities.


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FindingsNinth:Financial assistance from the community isrequired via a new Fire Tax, which would

facilitate:

Immediate financial stability from an operatingbudget perspective

Funding for debt service payments to financeconstruction of new facilities

Funding for ongoing equipment and assetreplacement


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FindingsTenth:

In a scenario that included consolidation andthe implementation of a Fire Tax, both fire

houses would be prepared to:

Sell existing facilities and redundant assets.

Create a new streamlined fundraisingprogram to contribute to operational and

asset allocation budgets on an annual basis. Continue to invest intangible and historic

human equity


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FindingsThe Borough, Citizens, and Washington should

enter into a Memorandum of Understandingthat memorializes steering committee findings

and provides the basis for pursuingconsolidation and a sustainable future for the

provision of firefighting services inMechanicsburg

(Memorandum Supplied by Committee)

mechanicsburg fire consolidation steering committee presentation

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