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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.2 Emer Fire/Med ResponseCITY CLERK # 0520-10 AGENDA STATEMENT CZTY COUNCTL MEETZNG DATE: April 18, 2000 SUBJECT: Emergency Fire / Medical Response Plan for Service Report prepared by: James Ferdinand Fire Marshal ATTACHMENTS: A. RECOMMENDATION: ~1. Emergency Fire / Medical Response Plan for Service Approve Final Draft of the Response Plan for Service FINANCIAL STATEMENT: Funding will be necessary in fiscal year 2000-2001 for site acquisition DESCRIPTION: As the City of Dublin develops, the need for fire protection coverage and response planning becomes critical. Significant residential and commercial development is occurring in the Eastern Extended Planning Area of the City. Approximately 13,000 new residential units and 10 million square feet of new commercial, retail, and business space are projected for the eastern Dublin area within the next 15 to 20 years, as well as intensification of development in central Dublin, and additional approved growth in the western portion of the City. This report is intended to serve as a working document that builds upon established standards and assumptions of projected community growth. It ensures compliance with the established response times for fire and emergency medical services within the City of Dublin. The report takes into consideration fire response times and emergency medical service standards in relation to projected growth in order to develop criteria for new facilities including, site requirements and equipment needs. Resources utilized to compile this report include the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan, City of Dublin General Plan, Dublin Fire Facilities Financing Study, Fire Station Location Study, Insurance Office Services documentation, and other fire related standards. The City's Community Development Department provided projections for residential, commercial, and retail development. The Public Works Department assisted with the engineering details of proposed streets used in the creation of maps to calculate response times. The attached plan concludes that the City will need to construct two fire stations to serve the Eastern Dublin Planning Area in the future. The proposed Station 17 is a 1-acre site located on Madigan Road at Gleason. The proposed Station 18 is a .75 acre site located near the intersection of Gleason Drive and Fallon Road. Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Final Draft of the Emergency Fire / Medical Response Plan for Service. COPIES TO: Alameda County Fire Department ITEM NO.~~_~ Ci~Dublin EMERGENCY FIRE / MEDICAL RESPONSE PLAN FOR SERVICE Prepared by: Alameda County Fire Department INTRODUCTION As the City of Dublin develops, the need for a fire protection coverage and response plan becomes critical. Significant residential and commercial development is occurring in the Eastern Extended Planning Area of the City. Approximately 13,000 new residential units and 10 million square feet of new commercial, retail, and business space are projected for the eastern Dublin area within the next 15 to 20 years. Intensification of development in central Dublin, and additional approved growth in the western portion of the City are also expected. This report i~ intended to serve' as a working document that buildg upon established fire and emergency medical service standards and assumptions of projected community growth, to ad&ess required expansion of fire and emergency medical services within the entire City of Dublin. The resources utilized to. compile this report include the Eastem Dublin Specific Plan, City of Dublin General Plan, Dublin Fire Facilities Financing Study, Fire Station Location Studf, Insurance Office Services documentation, and other fire related standards. The City's Community Development Department provided projections for residential, commercial, and retail development. The Public Works Department assisted with the engineering details of proposed streets used in the creation of maps to calculate response times from potential station locations. The report takes into consideration fire response times and emergency medical service standards in relation to the projected growth, in order to develop criteria for the new facilities including site requirements, staffing and equipment needs. Based upon our evaluation of the information available it is recommended that the City construct two fire stations to serve the Eastern Dublin Planning Area. The siting of these stations is included in the report with the background information that was used to develop the recommendations. CITY OF DUBLIN DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS The City has addressed the public protection and fire safety needs in the General. Plan for the development of the eastern and western areas. Special precautions for development on the western hills, water supply, automatic fire sprinklers, and fire safe roofing requirements are all included. General Plan - Section 8.2.2 A provision listed as a Guiding Policy speaks specifically to the need for additional personnel and fire stations east of Tassajara Road, as a condition of development in the Eastern Extended Planning Area. An amendment to 8.2.2 reinforces the need for fire protection in the eastern and western development areas. Eastern Dublin Specific' Plan: Within the Plan is Section 8.3 - Fire Protection. 8.3.1 Service Standards refers to existing station locations and future service demands. "Development of eastern Dublin will increase the demand for fire services. In order to provide adequate service 1 For specific details see complete Dublin Fire Financing Study by Hausrath, March 1997 and the Fire Station Location Study by Hughes Heiss, November 1989 2 levels (i.e., a 5-minute response time) two new stations will need to be 'located within the planning area." This service standard supports the requirement for fire protection and station development. Section 3.7.3 - Community Services and Facilities-Fire Protection - At build out the planning area is projected to include two fully equipped and fully staffed fire stations. Section 8.3 - Defined goal "To ensure that fire protection services in eastern Dublin are consistent with standards maintained in the rest of the city." Related to the Goal is Policy 8-5: Time the construction of new facilities to coincide with new service demand, in order to avoid periods of reduced service efficiency. The first station will be sited and construction completed prior to completion of initial development in the planning area. In order to accomplish this goal, an Action Program has been adopted which details financing, site acquisition, and timing requirements. Uniform Building Code Section 904.2.9: Amendments adopted by the City require that all new structures be protected with automatic fire sprinklers when they exceed 1.5 miles from a fire station. This requirement may drive the need for a station in order to meet response distances and times. CURRENT AND PROJECTED GROWTH Data provided by the Community Development Department projects an additional 1,051 residents east of Dougherty Road by the end of fiscal year 1998/1999. The population will continue to rise as the developments in Dublin Ranch, the Lin property, Summerglen, Casterson, Jefferson at Dublin, and the Villas are completed. At the 5-year point the projected population in eastem Dublin will be 12,759, and at build out approximately 34,094. Commercial and retail developments such as the Hacienda Crossings Retail Complex, AutoNation, and Emerald Point are nearing completion and will cause the daily population of eastern Dublin to swell considerably. The population of the western areas of the City will also increase with the completion of Schaeffer Ranch and a number of other in-fill projects. As the eastern and western areas continue to develop the demand for emergency services will increase. With the increased population and number of structures there will be a commensurate rise in the number of calls for service, putting pressure on existing resources. Increased traffic and longer response distances will also extend response times beyond acceptable standards. To maintain the existing service levels throughout the entire City, additional fire station locations are necessary. FIRE STATION COVERAGE AND RESPONSE STANDARDS Several factors must be evaluated to make informed decisions regarding the placement and expansion of fire resources within a community. The development of standards of coverage and response take into consideration fire company location, measure of workload, traffic patterns, and population. Using computerized mapping tools the effectiveness of various fire station and apparatus locations can be determined in order that optimal station_sites can be identified. The main objective of emergency response is measured in relation to two life-threatening situations: Fire Flashover and Cardiac Arrest. These are the critical response determinants that warrant the timeliest response, and are commonly referred to throughout the fire service industry as a standard reference point for emergency response and performance Flashover is common to all fires. At this critical point of a fire, the temperature within the involved room reaches the ignition temperature of the combustibles in the room, causing the entire room to burst into flames. This event causes a dramatic increase in flame, heat, and products of combustion, and makes the area where it occurs untenable for human life. This increase in fire intensity contributes to a rapid spread of fire, increase in property damage, and severe threat to life. Fire growth occurs exponentially. This rate of growth is depicted in the time and temperature curve below. Temperature 0 Flashov~ 5 10 minutes Time 1~ An industry standard for response to structure fires has the 1 st due engine company arriving on scene within 5 minutes, and the 2nd and 3rd engine and a truck arriving within 10 minutes 90% of the time. The strategic placement of fire stations and equipment is essential to meeting this standard. Cardiac Arrest is the other response determinant, which requires immediate, rapid response. When a person suffers Cardiac Arrest, the heart and breathing functions cease as the heart fibrillates (shakes). The definitive care for this condition is rapid defibrillation (electric shock) administered within 6 minutes of Cardiac Arrest. Without reversal, this condition will begin to cause brain and systemic damage that is usually irreversible within 8-10 minutes. A rapid reSPonse, combined with prompt 911 utilization and adequate citizen CPR, represents a community's best defense against such preventable sudden death. Planning a delivery, system that has the first unit on scene within 5 minutes 90% of the time has been proven to significantly increase the success rates for defibrillation and save lives. By the end of 2001, the residential population of the eastern Dublin area is projected to have increased by 5,725. The corresponding increase in service calls, coupled with the associated traffic, will drive the 5-minute response time beyond accepted standards, mandating the relocation of equipment and personnel. The City of Dublin has adopted the response time standards for fire and EMS calls shown below. These standards were utilized in a computer modeling to determine the appropriate location for fire stations based on development in Eastern Dublin. Medical/Still Alarm Criteria: First Alarm Fire Criteria: · Closest fire unit · 5-minute travel time · 90% of the time · Closest fire unit 5-minute travel time · 2nd & 3rd-in companies within 10 minutes' driving time · 90% of the time Medical/Still Alarm Criteria: This response allows for Advanced Life Support Intervention within 8-10 minutes from calling 911. Activities such as defibrillation, endotracheal intubation (insertion of a tube into the trachea to assist the patient receive air), or medication therapy may be applied within this time frame. First Alarm Fire Criteria: This response provides an aggressive, coordinated, initial fire attack on an involved structure. An example of common functions and tasks of a First Alarm assignment would be to stretch 200 feet of 1-3/4" hose line to the point of access and begin initial extinguishment, provide water supply and ventilation to assist in the fire attack and rescue evolutions. FIRE STATION LOCATIONS Two fire stations currently provide emergency services to the City. Station 16 on Donahue Drive is equipped with an engine, truck, and patrol with a minimum of 6 personnel on duty each day. Station 15 shares space with the 'Alameda County Volunteer Firefighters at the Santa Rita Jail on Broder Road. Station 15 is a single engine station with an engine and Type III wildland engine, with 3 personnel on duty at all times. One person on each staffed piece of apparatus is a Paramedic. Both stations are capable of cross-staffing wildland apparatus. As Eastern Dublin continues to develop beyond Tassajara Road, the current location of Station 15 will not adequately serve that area. The relocation of Station 15 will provide improved coverage in the area east of Tassajara Road prior to the completion of Station 18. The new site will allow for easy access to central Dublin, as well as the area between Dougherty Road and Tassajara Road. The equipment placement will also have to change to meet the increased demands for fire protection within the City. Relocation of the truck company to the new Station 17 will provide the best truck coverage for the entire city. An.additional consideration for the truck relocation is the height and the nUmber of buildings in eastern Dublin. The new station will be sized to house an engine, truck and wildland type of apparatus. Based on its new location the station will be able to provide services to the entire City of Dublin. As the development east of Tassajara Road continues, a third fire station will need to be constructed to meet response times in the newly developed areas. The new configuration will provide a balanced response ensuring the availability of resources in central Dublin that currently respond into eastern Dublin. Refer to Exhibit-1 Station 17 response map and Exhibit-2 Station 16 and 17 response map and Exhibit-3 for Station 16, 17 & 18 response map for detailed analysis of response times and City coverage. FIRE STATION 17 Recommended Location: Madigan Road at Broder Street Response Area: Dougherty Road to Tassajara Road In order to determine the location of Station 17 a computer-modeling program was used. The FLAME program takes into consideration the street configurations, tums, grades, speed limits and traffic patterns. A nUmber of models were generated to measure fire station response areas and to maintain a balance of fire protection between east and west Dublin. These models were validated by comparing the computer models to actual driving times. A 1-acre site located on Madigan Road at Gleason has been identified 'as the optimal location for placement of the new station._The proposed location of Station 17 will ensure firstain response to Eastern Dublin within the response time standard. Alameda County Fire recommends the construction of a two company with medical transport prototype fire station, with capacity to house 1 engine, 1 truck,~ 1 type III engine, -8 personnel, and a medical trahsport unit. The size of the fire station will allow for relocation of the current engine from the Santa Rita jail and the Truck Company from Station 16. While there are no current plans to house a medical transport unit at Station 17, the fire station will allow for this service to be provided with no. additional living space or building requirements. A Type III (four wheel drive) engine should also be located at this station so it can be staffed as needed by the engine or truck company crew for wildland response'. The proposed station location maximizes the response area for the first-in engine and truck company to ensure the highest level of service for the entire City of Dublin. It will also allow for a First Alarm assignment, meeting the established response standards within all developed areas of the City. Once the truck company is moved from Station 16 to the station at Madigan and Gleason, it is recommended that the City of Dublin explore the possibility of renting living and apparatus space to the County ambulance provider for Dublin EMS coverage' from Station 16. 6 Such an arrangement has been established and is working well in Livermore. This type of partnership has proven to be financially and operationally beneficial for all parties involved. The Fire and EMS crews develop a working relationship, which contributes to better patient care, and the City has the opportunity to receive rental income. STATION 18 Recommended Location: Fallon ROad at Gleason Drive Response Area: Tassajara Road to Fallon Road Response Area In order to determine the location of Station 18, a computer-modeling program was also used (Exhibit 3). A number of models were 'generated and validated to measure fire station response areas and. to maintain a balance of fire protection between east and west Dublin. The proposed site for the station should be acquired as soon as possible to secure the location. It is recommended that the station be located in the area of the Fallon Road extension at thc intersection of Gleason Drive to.provide response to Dublin Ranch Development and points east and south. Exhibit-3 response map shows the coverage areas for Station 18. In order to maintain the 5-minute response time to the northeastern areas of the Dublin Ranch Development, the construction of the station may need to be accelerated. The Station 18 response area can be served adequately by a single engine company prototype fire station (3 personnel). It is recommended that a 4WD patrol (brash wagon)be available for an adaptive wildland response utilizing the existing crew. If projections for eastern Dublin development change, this report .will need to be reevaluated and modified accOrdingly. CONCLUSION In order to maintain established response standards and provide comparable levels of service throughout the entire City of Dublin, additional fire stations will have to be constructed to meet the current and projected build out of the city. It is extremely important to begin the process of acquiring sites that are strategically located within the eastern Dublin planning area. A 1-acre site is necessary at Madigan Road and Broader Street. This location would house the track company from Station 16 and the engine company from Station 15. A .75-acre site is required at the comer of Fallon Road and Gleason Drive, which will house a single engine company to provide coverage to the area of Tassajara Road and Fallon Road. The Station 17 site should be acquired by the end of the year 2000. The Station 1'8 site should be purchased and construction scheduled to be completed when response time standards can no longer be met from Station 17. The construction of Station 17 and Station 18, coupled with the relocation of the truck company from Station 16 to the new Station 17, will ensure the best possible fire protection services balancing the operational components of Dublin's growing fire service requirements RECOMMENDATIONS Specific recommendations to complete the plan for emergency services to Eastern Dublin areas are as follows: · Accept the Fire / Medical Plan for Service · Acquire 1-acre site for Station 17 on Madigan Road at Broder Street in fiscal year 2000- 2001. · Enter into negotiations and secure a. 75-acre site for Station 18 at Gleason Drive at Fallon Road in fiscal year 2000-2001. Total Road Miles' :for the FIRST. IN Company ~ 51~6 mi(0 - 5rain) 259.4 mi (5- 10min) ~ 114.9 mi (10- 12rain) Fire Stations- Existing Fire Stations- proPosed Other Existing Fire stations , , Sphere of Influence · '~' / Coun~ Line ~ Future StudY Area City aounda~ RESPONSE FRObl PROPOSED STATION t7 FUTURE .$1~JDY Travel Time for the FIRST4N CompanY 0 -5,0 min 5.0-10,0 rain ~ 10,0-12,0 rain Fire Stations - Existing Fire Stations - Proposed Other Existing Fire Stations , , , Sphere of Influence · · County Line · ~ Futura Study/~a'ea City Boundary RESPOHSE FROM EXISTIHG STATION 16 .eND PROPOSED STATIOH 17 CITY OF DUBLIN Existing/Proposed Fire Stations O' tIX)D' 2(X]0' Se, ale: 1' =3,500' 1.'42,000 Total Road Milesfor the FIRST4N Company ~ 140,5 mi (0- 5rnin) 271,8 mi (5- lomin) ~ 171.2 mi (10- 12rain) I Fire Stations - Existing Fire Stations- Proposed Other Existing Fire stations. Sphere of Influence County Line Future Study Area City Boundary RESPONSE FROM EXISTIHG STATION 16 AND PROPOSED STATION 17 AND 18