AGENDA DATE: 6/5/2019
TITLE:
Title
Albemarle County Fire Rescue Standards of Response Coverage
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Albemarle County Fire Rescue Standards of Response Coverage
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner; Eggleston, Farley, Puckett, Mezzoni
PRESENTER (S): Dan Eggleston
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: In 2016, Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR) contracted with Fitch & Associates (Fitch) to evaluate the fire department's operations, deployment, and staffing and develop a comprehensive deployment and staffing plan referred to as a Standards of Response Coverage (SOC). Fitch followed the standards set out by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) Standards of Cover process, which uses a systems approach for deployment rather than a "one-size-fits-all" prescriptive formula. This comprehensive approach allows agencies to match local community needs (risks and expectations) with the appropriate level of service to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner.
During the study, Fitch met with a variety of ACFR career and volunteer leadership to gather information about the system and our existing response model. Using national, state, and local standards, as well as information guidelines set forth by organizations such as the CFAI, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the Insurance Services Organization (ISO), Fitch evaluated the current response model, as well as the risk profile of Albemarle County, to develop a risk-based, data-driven staffing and deployment plan for ACFR.
At the July 5, 2018 Board meeting, ACFR staff and members of Fitch presented the results of the Standard of Cover Analysis and recommended performance measures. At that time, the Board raised concerns about Fire and EMS (FEMS) Board support for the service objectives in the SOC. Since that meeting, ACFR leadership has worked closely with FEM...
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