2004 AGN JUN 01 Misc 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Colton's Constant Staffing Policy is similar to other comparatively sized cities in the area except for one aspect. Many Fire Departments are now recognizing the need to staff fire engines with 4 personnel compared to Colton's 3. This is in response to recent state and federal standards and regulations such as NFPA standard 1710, which recommends 4 personnel per fire engine. Also, the OSHA "2 in 2 out" regulation requires firefighters to work in pairs in dangerous environments and requires 2 firefighters be available as a rescue team before any interior firefighting can take place. While Colton Firefighters would appreciate this level of staffing, we recognize the fiscal limitations of the City and will continue to rely on the quick response times of additional Fire Department units and firefighters to compensate. Often, it is the quicker paramedic squad that arrives first or simultaneously with a fire engine at the scene of an emergency. This quick response places 5 firefighters at an emergency within minutes of dispatch and provides the initial fire ground staffing necessary for the Colton Fire Department to mount an aggressive interior attack on structure fires while complying with OSHA regulations. The obvious benefit of this quick fire attack being that the faster we can attack and control a fire the less damage there will be to a home or business. Likewise, positive outcomes to medical emergencies depend upon the quick response of paramedics and EMTs. While many medical emergencies can be handled by a single squad or engine company, critical emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes and traffic collisions require two or more units. The increased staffing is needed to accomplish several medical tasks simultaneously on a single patient or in the case of traffic collisions the possibility of multiple victims. Obviously, current staffing levels are critical to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Fire Department. However, Colton Firefighters understand that finances will always be a driving force behind service levels, which is why we chose to be an integral part in the promotion of Measure W. On March 2, 2004 the voters of Colton passed Measure W, which created a 4% residential and 6% commercial Utility Users Tax (UUT). The UUT created by Measure W is a general-purpose tax. However, the primary message for winning voter approval was one of protecting public safety staffing levels and the primary messengers were Colton firefighters, whom polls show are held in the highest regard by the public. With the assurances of City Administrators, Colton Firefighters placed their integrity and public trust on the line to assure the passage of the UUT and to prevent the closure of a fire station or reduction in staffing levels. However, even with the passage of Measure W, the City has recently proposed reducing the Fire Department daily staffing from 15 to 13 personnel. This staffing reduction would result in the permanent closure of a paramedic squad to be replaced with a slower less effective paramedic ladder truck converted from the current ladder truck. This represents a 23.5% decrease in staffing since 2000 and a service level equivalent to that which was in place in 1989. The proposed reduction appears to be, in large part, an impulsive reaction to the 2003-04 Mid -Year Financial Report, which was presented to the City Council on April 6, 2004. 2