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JAN 28 1616,9192g� - ' a00K �ee� P.tiJ�E °��' DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS The Sebastian Volunteer Fire Department, Roseland Volunteer Fire Department, Fellsmere Volunteer Fire Department, Vero Lake Estates Volunteer Fire Department, South County Volunteer Fire Department, and the Fellsmere Volunteer Ambulance Service provide a very important part in the delivery of emergency services in Indian River County. Since they -are volunteer entities associated with the Department of Emergency Services, funds are provided by the respective District to maintain the structures of each of the organizations as well as recurring expenses related to utilities, etc, except for the Fellsmere Volunteer Ambulance Service. The county provides an amount determined by the Board each year to support this organization. Insurance coverage is also provided for liability, worker's compensation, errors and omissions, and death or injury. However, when the volunteer organizations schedule fund: raising events (chicken dinners, open house, etc) for other expenses related to the volunteer operation, they are required to obtain insurance coverage for those special events to minimize risk to the county. To assist the volunteer organizations in obtaining and retaining more of the funds collected at the fund raising events, it is staff's position that coverage should be obtained through the county insurance program for these special events each year. The parameters under which the insurance coverage is recommended is based on: 1. The fund raising, recruitment or special event occurs on the premises utilized by the volunteer agency, and 2. The funds are utilized for enhancing and/or improving the equipment, training, operations, membership recruitment, membership benefits, or facility of the volunteer entity. ALTERNATIVES AND ANALYSIS The volunteer organizations are having a difficult time in realizing any substantial revenue from fund raising events by the time they pay the cost of .the special event insurance premiums. This is especially true in this period of economic decline as a result of the recession. It should be noted that these special events are also used for recruiting purposes to obtain additional members for the respective organization. It would also be a great help to the organization in terms of raising sufficient revenue each year so that the volunteer entity could provide some incentive to its members thereby assisting them in recruiting new members. _ In the six year plan approved by the voters in 1990, the volunteers serve a 'becondary role for the most part. However, all the organizations arb sorely needed, primary and secondary, to maintain sufficient coverage .for fire and EMS services throughout the county. The Risk Manager. advises that the insurance coverage can be obtained from Scottsdale' -Insurance Company through the Florida League of Cities for $200.00 per agency per year or a total of $1,200.00. This would greatly benefit the volunteer organizations mentioned above and help them in raising funds and recruiting new members. Funds for the insurance coverage would come from existing accounts in the appropriate budget. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Board approve the additional funds from the appropriate budget to obtain insurance coverage for fund raising events each year for each volunteer organization noted based on the criteria referenced above. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the Risk Manager to obtain the coverage and grant approval for the Budget Director to make the necessary budget amendments. 48