The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About06/25/2015 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA 7$)- -- o�\ FIRE STATION LOCATIONS • WORKSHOP MINUTES "Alls$7111.‘ THURSDAY,JUNE 25, 2015 * !V* Commission Chambers OR%%)r'' Indian River County Administration Complex 1801 27th Street, Building A Vero Beach, Florida, 32960-3388 www.ircgov.com COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DISTRICT Wesley S.Davis,Chairman District 1 Present Joseph A.Baird, County Administrator Present Bob Solari,Vice Chairman District 5 Present Dylan Reingold, County Attorney Present Joseph E.Flescher District 2 Present Jeffrey R. Smith,Clerk of the Circuit Peter D. O'Bryan District 4 Present Court and Comptroller Tim Zorc District 3 Present Terri Collins-Lister,Deputy Clerk Present 1. CALL TO ORDER 2:00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Peter D. O'Bryan 3. FIRE STATION LOCATION PLANNING 2:01 A. Presentation on History of Current Fire Station Locations by John King, p.m. Emergency Services Director Emergency Services Director John King gave a brief history of the County's twelve fire stations, their locations, how the locations were determined and the planning involved in building a fire station. Director King discussed the Insurance Services Office Commission (ISO), which reviews the firefighting capabilities of individual communities' ability to suppress and limit fire losses. ISO provides certain insurance breaks on property located within 1% miles from a fire station and would give a credit to property owners up to five miles from a fire station or within 1000 feet of a fire hydrant. Director King concluded his presentation and handed out to the Board a copy of an agenda item from the February 17, 2015 Board meeting regarding Emergency Services District Capital Improvements, which would be addressed at some point in their discussion. Fire Station Locations Workshop Page 1 June 25,2015 2:14 B. Commissioners' Discussion on Future Fire Station Location Planning p.m. Commissioner Zorc reviewed the information contained in his PowerPoint Presentation called "Fire Station Location Planning". This meeting was to discuss future fire station locations, and to address fire and medical calls in an area that could improve both the response time and the ISO insurance benefit. He indicated that in 2014, the County hosted the State Fire Marshall and representatives from ISO on how to use ISO as a guidepost. Since then, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1710 Codes and Standards was published and was the game changer on how ISO audits the County on actual fire calls. They look at how long the call took to process, the time to be dispatched, the time out-the-door, and the real time to drive to the scene. He said the NFPA 1710 Codes and Standards would drive up the cost of every district and fire department in the country. He explained if you took a 20- year life cycle, for every fire station in the County, the cost would be approximately $45 to $50 million for a 20-year service period for a fire station, and that cost does not include rotating new equipment. Director King advised that ISO will be here on August 25, 2015 before Fire Station 13 opens; however, ISO was committed to incorporating the additional information and amend their findings after Fire Station 13 opens in October of this year. Commissioner Zorc wanted the County to stay ahead of the curve when the County decides to build a new fire station, and referred to the ISO Public Protection Classification program, which evaluates communities according to a uniform set of criteria, incorporating nationally recognized standards developed by the NFPA, the American Water Works Association, and proposed fire station locations in a community in order to maximize public protection. A general discussion ensued regarding the ISO scoring sheet that determined the County's ISO rating and the ISO evaluation of the County's fire stations on the response time to actual fires. Commissioner Zorc detailed a thorough study of the District's Call-For- Services that revealed the County's greatest impediment to improving the timely delivery of emergency services was the geographic distances between fire stations. He expressed the need for two additional Fire Rescue Stations, additional ambulances due to turn around time, and funding. Director King said Emergency Management Services was trying to create a system with good response time, and the consolidation of the Fire and EMS Divisions has saved the community a lot of money. Fire Station Locations Workshop Page 2 June 25,2015 Commissioner Flescher raised a question regarding population counts in determining a location for a fire station. Director King replied it was the demand for service and emphasized that you cannot just measure how far apart two locations were in determining the need for a fire station. He explained that you have to include the work load and gave an example of Station 3 being the third busiest of the fire stations in the fleet. Director King predicted growth along State Road (SR) 60 corridor over the next few years. He suggested moving Station 7 to a modular site near SR 60 and Interstate 95 (I-95) and eventually, build a three-bay station on the Jaycee Property on 26th Street. A discussion ensued on locations and areas with high medic call volumes in conjunction with fire station location coverage. Commissioner Zorc wondered how the County could spend the least amount of money, yet still provide the best level of care and the best response time, without getting crippled by the NFPA 1710 Code and Standards. A lengthy discussion ensued by the Board on areas with service gaps. Commissioner Zorc felt that the County's Geographic Information System Department and the information contained in the NFPA 1710 Codes and Standards could provide the County with an idea of the proper location for Station 7. He referred to the high response demand in the Sector 38 area and wondered if the County could provide relief to the rest of the area by designating a unit at the Sector 38 near the Indian River Memorial Hospital node. Commissioner Zorc suggested running some scenarios and auditing the times on actual events prior to ISO's visit in August. Chairman Davis wondered if ISO took into account the County's Comprehensive Plan, because it clearly shows future development east and west of SR 60. Vice Chairman Solari brought up the significant increase in the Emergency Services Millage rates over a five-year period when a new fire station opens. The discussion continued on locations for fire stations and the response demand near the hospital. Director King pointed out that one could only project so far out on a location for a fire station. Chairman Davis felt the Board was making strides in the right direction by adding to the prototypical station. One thing he wanted to come out of Fire Station Locations Workshop Page 3 June 25,2015 today's workshop, was a prototypical fire station that had two box ambulances, one fire truck and/or a building which had the capability to hold them. Vice Chairman Solari questioned whether the Board should look at delaying the proposed fire station on the Jaycee Property on 26th Street. He asked Director King to bring this back at a future Board Meeting as an agenda item, including staff's recommendation. Commissioner Zorc also wanted to bring back to a future Board Meeting, the potential solutions for coverage of the Sector 38 concept. A discussion followed on fire stations near Sector 38, and Chairman Davis inquired whether Director King could put together a report on the number of fires in the County. Director King replied in the affirmative. Vice Chairman Solari asked Director King for background information on the ISO ratings in order to gain a better understanding, some idea of the cost on the fire portion of the insurance, and the difference between a four and a six ISO score rating. Director King reiterated he would be meeting with ISO on August 25, 2015, and it may be his first opportunity to find answers to the Board's questions. 3:29 C. Questions and Comments from Public p.m. There were none. 4. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m. o�;MISS..oPjFq J: • Jeffrey R. Smith, C' ' , CGFO, CGMA esley S. Davis, Chairman Clerk of Circuit •• rt and Co t tr•ller ��✓O��;v Ri.�Rc\)`, B • 0_ Approved: AUG 1 8 2015 epu y lerk BCC FIRE STATION LOCATION WORKSHOP/TCL/2015Minutes Fire Station Locations Workshop Page 4 June 25,2015