HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.2 FireStandard1710CITY CLERK
FILE # 540-20
AGENDA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: April 3, 2001
SUBJECT:
Report Regarding Proposed National Fire Protection Association
Standard 1710, "Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression
Operations, Emergency Medical Operations and Special Operations
to the Public by Career Fire Departments"
Report Prepared by: William J. McCammon, Fire Chief, and
Sheldon D. Gilbert, Deputy Fire Chief
ATTACHMENTS: 1 )
2)
Draft Letter of Opposition
Budget Change Form
Authorize Mayor to execute letter of opposition.
Authorize contribution in an amount not to exceed $2,000 to
the City of Fremont for contract legal services.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: Estimated Cost for Legal Services: $2,000.
DESCRIPTION: In April 2000 the City Council approved the City of Dublin
Emergency Fire and Medical Response Plan. The plan was developed jointly between the City and the
Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD). It identified preferred fire station locations and established
response time standards for the City that are consistent with .adopted standards of the ACFD and
surrounding jurisdictions.
The adopted standards ensures response to an emergency medical call will have (1) one unit on scene in 5
minutes 90% of the time; (2) a first alarm assignment to a fire call will receive 2 engines and 1 truck and a
Battalion Chief in 10 minutes 90% of the time, and (3) all engine and truck companies will be staffed with
a minimum of 3 personnel. At build-out the City will have 3 fire stations with 3 engine companies and 1
truck company. This standard was developed to ensure a rapid single unit response that can provide basic
an,i advanced life support functions. In addition, the standard establishes a first alarm assignment that
provides the necessary resources to conduct fire ground operations; e.g., fire attack, establish water
supply, search and rescue, and ventilation.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1710, "Organization and Deployment of
Fire fighting Operations, Emergency Medical Operations and Special Operations to the Public by Career
Fire Departments," is currently moving through the standards-making process. If adopt.ed in its current
form, there are elements of the standard that would have significant impacts on the City's fire protection
deployment and City' s fiscal condition.
H]cc-forms/agdastmt.doc
COPIES TO:
ITEM NO.
The NFPA is a standard-making body, recognized nationally for developing fire and life safety standards
for industry and the fire service. The NFPA has developed a consensus-based process for developing
standards that includes representation from all interested parties. These standards, when adopted by the
NFPA, are recommended standards, unless the individual jurisdiction adopts them locally; however,
NFPA standards have been referenced in civil law cases and as supporting documentation for writing and
defining regulation and legislation.
NFPA 1710 attempts to set minimum standards for the deployment of fire fighting resources in order to
ensure safe operations on the fire ground and on emergency medical calls. The standard accomplishes this
by (1) setting minimum staffing levels for each engine and truck company at 4 personnel; (2) requiring
one anit on scene of an emergency medical call in 4 minutes 90% of the time; and (3) requiring 3 engines
and 1 truck to be on scene in 8 minutes 90% of the time for a First Alarm Fire assignment. In order for
the City to meet these standards, a significant increase in resources would be necessary, resulting in higher
costs for fire protection.
To meet the elements of NFPA 1710 would require significant changes to the staffing of engines and
trucks, and the overall cost of fire protection for the City. The table below provides a description of the
changes necessary to meet the intent of NFPA 1710:
TABLE 1. ADDITIONAL COSTS TO IMPLEMENT NFPA 1710
ONGOING OPERATIONAL COSTS
36 additional firefighters to implement NFPA 1710:
· 12 additional firefighters
(to create four 4-person companies)
· 2 additional companies (24 firefighters) to meet
density/response time criteria
Ongoing Annual Operational Expenditures
ONE-TIME IMPLEMENTATION COSTS
Academy for 36 additional firefighters
Safety equipment/clothing for 36 additional
firefighters
First Year Implementation Costs
1,280,000
3,040,000
840,000
216,000
4,320,000
1,056,000
Total First Year Expenditures
$5,376,000
While the NFPA 1710 standard has many good references and ideas on fire ground safety, Staff does not
believe the one size fits all approach to the adoption of response standards is prudent. The 1710 standard
does not take into account built in fire protection systems or the types of structures, including the age,
density, and types of uses, when establishing response and staffing standards. In developing the adopted
standards for the City consideration was given to hazards, built-in fire protection systems, density,
community expectations, and financial resources° The proposed standard is scheduled to be voted upon at
the NFPA Convention in May 2001. The Intemational Association of Firefighters has undertaken an
aggressive campaign to ensure passage of this standard. Nationally, IAFF representatives are actively
participating on the development committee and conducting significant recruitment efforts encouraging
rank and file members to join NFPA and vote at the NFPA Convention.
As 1710 moves through the process it may change as amendments are added or changed. It also must be
adopted by the NFPA Standards Council (scheduled for July 2001) before it becomes an NFPA
recognized standard. If NFPA adopts this standard, there is no requirement that the City adopt any of the
standard; however, there is a potential that the City may be forced to implement the standard, either by the
standard finding its way into State legislation or through court actions that may address the standard, and
rule against jurisdictions that do not meet the standard° It is Staff's recommendation that the City Council
authorize and the Mayor execute a letter opposing NFPA's standard 1710 and authorize an additional
appropriation for contract legal services totaling $2,000.
The Alameda County Mayor's Conference, at its March meeting, went on record opposing NFPA
Standard 1710. In addition, the Alameda County City Managers' Association is working to secure legal
services for the purpose of assisting the cities through the appeal process. The City of Fremont would act
as the lead agency. The cost of participation for the City of Dublin is currently estimated at $2,000. The
Alameda County City Managers have recommended this approach since NFPA is a national organization
whose appeal process has been difficult to ascertain.
Staff believes the best method to develop a standard of response and staffing is one that takes place
locally. The ACFD, along with the California Fire Chiefs Association and the League of Cities, is
working to modify NFPA 1710 before it is finalized. The ACFD will continue to work with other fire
agencies towards an accreditation model that brings a consistent locally based approach that can meet the
unique needs of each community.
G:\admin\DCXDublin\NFPA1710.doc
April 3, 2001
CITY OF DUBLIN
100 Civic Plaza', Dublin, California 94568
Website: http://www. ci.dublin.ca.us
Mr. George Miller, President
National Fire Protection Association
1 Batterymarch Park
P.O. Box 9101
Quincy, MA 02269-9101
Dear Mr. Miller:
Re: NFPA 1710
I am writing to express my opposition to NFPA i 710, the proposed new four-person minimum standard
for staffing fire apparatus. At build-out, the City of Dublin will have 4 companies, each staffed with 3
firefighters. To comply with NFPA 1710 we would need to add 2 engine companies and hire at least 36
firefighters. The cost of compliance with NFPA 1710 for the first year is shown below:
Salaries = $4,320,000
Fire Academies = 840,000
Personal Equipment = 216,000
Total = $5,376,000
At build-out the City of Dublin Fire Prevention costs are estimated to be $5,456,416. If NFPA 1710 were
implemented, costs are projected to increase by 98% to $10,843,416.
Dublin has very high standards and provides a high level of service to our community. Levels of service
delivery for fire and emergency medical services have historically been set by the local jurisdiction. This
method works well because only local fire chiefs and city officials, working together can determine what
is appropriate for their community. There would be no business or service-related reason for Dublin to
adopt a four-person fire standard. If we ever believe our service requirements would warrant greater
staffing, we would make that determination and budget accordingly. Adherence to a standard that does
not relate to local conditions is not a sound business or service delivery practice.
We oppose such a blanket standard. If whatever NFPA adopts becomes the norm,. cities that do not
comply with the proposed staffing and response standards could expose themselves to liability. I strongly
urge you to reject ~is onerous, unfunded mandate upon local governments. Please call me at 925-833-
6650 if you have any questions about this issue·
Sincerely,
Guy S. Houston
Mayor
Area Code (925) · City Manager 833-6650 · City COuncil 833-6650 · Personnel 833-6605 · E
A.~l, fp~i~l~l}~I]~-f_,CEI~ do~ublic Works/Engineering 833-6630 · Parks & Community Services 82
· Planning/Coiie Enforcement 833-6610- Building Inspection 833-6620. Fi're Prevent A TTA CHMENT 1
CITY OF DUBLIN
BUDGET CHANGE FORM
New Appropriations (City COuncil Approval Required):
Budget Transfers:
CHANGE FORM #
X From Unappropriated Reserves From Budgeted Contingent Reserve (1080-799.000)
(If Other than General Fund, Fund No - Within Same Department Activity
From New Revenues Between Departments (City Council Approval Required)
Other
:'.~ :' DEC.REASE.'IIUDGE,T A:CCO~ijNT22: ::' 57!'i,!'!. A~IOLrNTSL.~':)7' ~..,ci2 INC~ASEBIJDGET;X~/56LrNT: '~il~I0t!NT
Name: Name: Contract Services $2,000
Account #: 001.10300.741.000
Account #:
Name: Name:
Account #: Account #:
Name: Name:
Account #: Account #:
Name: Name:
Account #: Account #:
Name: Name:
Account #:
Account #:
City Manager: Date:
Signature
ASD/Fin Mgr F~U~T-~ ~ Date:
Signature
REASON FOR BUDGET CHANGE ENTRY: To budget additional funds for contract legal services related
to proposed National Fire Protection Association Standard 1710
May~r: Date:
Posted By:
G:~FINANCEIFREDWORD~budget chang~ NPFA standard. doc
Signature
Signature
Date:
ATTACHMENT 2