AGENDA DATE: 11/2/2016
TITLE:
Title
Health and Welfare of the Volunteer Fire and EMS System
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Health and Welfare of the Volunteer Fire and EMS System
ITEM TYPE: Regular Information Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Walker, Eggleston, LaBelle
PRESENTER (S): Tom LaBelle, ACFR; Kostas Alibertis, FEMS Board
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: Albemarle County Code ? 6-107 sets forth certain specific responsibilities of the Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS) Board. One responsibility of the FEMS Board is to "...report at least annually to the board of supervisors regarding the health and welfare of the volunteer system." Accordingly, the FEMS Board established a committee to direct the activities of County staff in the preparation of the 2016 Report on the Health and Welfare of the Volunteer Fire and EMS System (Attachment A). This is the third such report on the volunteer system since the adoption of the ordinance creating the FEMS Board and establishing its responsibilities.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Operational Capacity: Ensure County government's ability to provide high quality service that achieves community priorities.
DISCUSSION: The 2016 report reviews the outcomes of the themes and goals established in the 2014 and 2015 reports - All volunteerism is local, and A focus on pathways respectively. As in years past the report was created with the assistance of a committee established by the FEMS Board. This committee helped ensure a volunteer focus was maintained during the development of the report. This year's report opens with a general letter of introduction. Like previous reports, this report examines membership and resources for each station. Additionally the report contains a statement A Growing Divide which conveys concerns of the FEMS Board regarding the availability of affordable housing stock and employment opportunities conducive to volunteering in the fire and rescue ...
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