Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-203 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ADDING TWELVE FIREFIGHTERS TO THE AUTHORIZED STAFFING OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
Body
SUMMARY
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded the Chula Vista Fire Department the fiscal year 2016 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant to hire twelve (12) firefighters. The SAFER grant is designed to provide funding directly to fire departments to increase or maintain the number of trained, "front line" firefighters available in their communities. The goal of the SAFER grant is to enhance the local fire department’s ability to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1710. This is a cost sharing grant over a three-year performance period beginning January 19, 2018. The Fire Department is requesting to add twelve new full-time employees (firefighters) as authorized staffing and to appropriate funds not provided by the SAFER grant.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
Environmental Notice
The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Body
Environmental Determination
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable
DISCUSSION
On August 8, 2017 the City Council approved Resolution 2017-153, which accepted the 2016 SAFER grant award to hire twelve (12) firefighters. The SAFER grant provides funding directly to fire departments to increase or maintain the number of trained "front line" firefighters available in their communities. The goal of the SAFER grant is to enhance the local fire department’s ability to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by NFPA Standard 1710.
On February 10, 2017, the Fire Department applied for the SAFER grant, and on July 28, 2017 the Fire Department received notification of the grant award. The performance period of the grant is three years and is slated to begin January 19, 2018.
SAFER is a cost sharing grant over a three-year performance period. Eligible costs within the grant include salary and benefits beginning from the date of hire, which will occur prior to the fire academy. The grant and matching funds are allocated as follows:
|
PERIOD |
FEDERAL SHARE |
FEDERAL AMOUNT |
CITY SHARE |
CITY SHARE |
TOTALS |
|
First -12 Months |
75% |
$918,027 |
25% |
$306,009 |
$1,224,036 |
|
Second -12 Months |
75% |
$918,027 |
25% |
$306,009 |
$1,224,036 |
|
Third - 12 Months |
35% |
$428,412 |
65% |
$795,624 |
$1,224,036 |
|
TOTAL |
|
$2,264,466 |
|
$1,407,642 |
$3,672,108 |
The Federal award amount for the complete performance period is $2,264,466. As a condition of the grant, the City is required to contribute a cost match in the amount of $1,407,642, for a total project cost of $3,672,108.
The addition of 12 new firefighters will increase staffing levels from 3.0 to 4.0 on four engine companies for each of the three rotating shifts. Benefits of these additional firefighter positions will include creating an Initial Attack Force (IAF) allowing immediate firefighting entry upon arrival of the first engine on scene (Two-in, Two-out), and creating an Effective Fire Force (EFF) at structure fires faster when compared to the current 3.0 staffing model. Currently, Department compliance with EFF is 35%. With 12 additional firefighters, data modeling shows a compliance increase to 58% providing a 23% improvement.
In addition, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) study findings conclude that four person companies can complete the 22 essential firefighting functions 25% faster than an engine company staffed with three personnel. In 2011, a Chula Vista Fire Department internal critical task analysis was completed. The analysis demonstrated that an OSHA mandated Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) with a charged hose line could be deployed in 2 minutes 30 seconds with a 4.0 staffed crew vs. 6 minutes with a 3.0 staffed crew. In the same analysis, a three-minute difference was demonstrated when 4.0 staffed crews applied water to the fire.
These two major performance metrics described above (IAF & EFF) can be found in the table below with current performance of the Fire Department and expected outcomes with the 12 new firefighters.
Anticipated Department-wide Performance Improvements
|
METRIC |
WITHOUT SAFER GRANT |
WITH SAFER GRANT |
|
Daily on-duty firefighters |
42 |
54 |
|
Engine companies with 4 firefighters daily |
0% |
50% |
|
Initial Attack Force -4 firefighters to arrive at a fire within 6 minutes 20 seconds (380 seconds) |
47% |
58% |
|
Effective Firefighting Force-14 firefighters to arrive at a fire within 10 minutes 20 seconds (620 seconds) |
35% |
58% |
To add 12 new firefighters, the Fire Department worked hand in hand with Finance and Human Resources to:
• Establish a fire recruit job classification
• Establish a fire recruit eligibility list
• Develop a fire recruit hiring plan for a Fire Academy beginning January 19, 2018
• Add 12 new firefighter FTE to the Fire Department’s authorized staffing
• Develop/identify funding to be allocated for the Fire Academy and the City’s share of the SAFER Grant.
|
Department |
Position Title |
FTE |
|
Fire |
Firefighter |
12.00 |
|
Total City-Wide Position Changes (Net Increase/Decrease) |
12.00 |
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section 18704.2(a)(1) is not applicable to this decision. Staff is not independently aware, nor has staff been informed by any City Councilmember, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community.
We anticipate that hiring 12 firefighters will improve firefighting performance metrics and move the Fire Department and the City towards improved operational delivery by placing four firefighter’s on-scene at a fire within 6 minutes 20 seconds and 14 firefighters within 10 minutes 20 seconds. These metrics are expected to increase efficiency by 11% and 23% respectively. This allows the Fire Department to move closer to meeting response standards and improve current service delivery to the citizens of Chula Vista.
Hiring 12 firefighters provides a safer and healthier work place for firefighters. This additional daily staffing allows for optimal distribution of work and increased performance, translating to increased effectiveness and efficiency. This in turn provides a healthier community for the citizens of Chula Vista and further develops strong and secure neighborhoods.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Fiscal impact for FY17/18 includes entry level Fire Recruit Academy training beginning January 2018 and ending May 2018 plus salary and benefit costs as Firefighter EMTs and Paramedics through June 30, 2018. These expenses are depicted in the table below:
SAFER Grant revenues equal 75% of the salary and benefit costs of the respective 12 FTE firefighter positions.
No additional funding is being requested at this time. The Fire Department is working with City Management and Finance to identify potential cost savings and additional revenues to offset the impacts of the academy. If it is determined that additional funding will be needed in the current year, staff will return to Council with an appropriation request at that time.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Ongoing fiscal impact for FY19 is depicted in the table below:
Funding for ongoing impacts will be budgeted in future budget processes. SAFER Grant revenues reimburse the city for 75% of the salary and benefit costs of the respective 12 FTE firefighter positions beginning January 2018 through January 2020, then transition to 35% from January 2020 through January 2021.
ATTACHMENTS
None
Staff Contact: Harry Muns, Courtney Chase, David Bilby