TOPIC: FIRE SERVICE FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT AND STAFFING
Key Points
Carlsbad residents say they feel protected and safe
In the 2006 Citizens' Survey, residents reported the following regarding Fire Department- provided services in the City of Carlsbad:
● A majority of the residents surveyed rated fire service as excellent or good, continuing a positive trend over the last 7 years.
● Fire service is the second highest-rated City service, second only to the Library, and rating higher than Police services.
● 98% of residents, nearly a unanimous citizen rating, rated Fire Protection service as excellent or good.
● 97% of residents rated the Carlsbad Fire Department Emergency Medical Services as excellent or good
Over the past four years, more than $9.8 million has been committed to purchase equipment, personnel and the development of new facilities, which will ensure effective emergency response capability.
● $1.04 million to purchase 1 brush engine and 2 structure engines
● $825,000 to purchase an aerial apparatus
● $450,000 for 3 replacement ambulances (2 replacement front-roll ambulances and 1 replacement reserve ambulance)
● $250,000 for 1 new ambulance and equipment, to serve as the City's third 24 hour front-roll ambulance
● $6 million-plus committed to building permanent Fire Station No. 6
● 6 Paramedic/Firefighters were added in FY 2006-07 to staff the City Council approved third 24-hour front-roll ambulance, at an annual cost of approximately $700,000.
● 1 EMS Paramedic Nurse Coordinator position was added in FY 2006-07 at an annual cost of approximately $130,500.
● The City has committed to the planning and development of a joint police and fire training facility and public works center at the current Safety Center location.
Carlsbad is a leader in regional fire service delivery, resulting in partnerships that maximize equipment and personnel ensuring cost-effective service delivery.
● For some Carlsbad residents, a neighboring city's fire station may be the closest fire station. A Carlsbad Fire Station may be the closest fire station to some residents in other cities. In January 2004, the Carlsbad Fire Department instituted a "Boundary Drop" in which the closest available units are dispatched regardless of jurisdictional boundaries. The "Boundary Drop" enhanced existing mutual aid agreements to create seamless delivery of fire, rescue and Emergency Medical Services in the region.
● In 2005, the North County fire departments received a grant to purchase a Videoconferencing system, which links all North County fire stations, enabling all agencies to share virtual classroom training and provide real-time audio and video communication during a region-wide disaster.
● Carlsbad fire personnel regularly train with North County and Countywide public safety personnel to ensure a coordinated, professional response in a large scale disaster.
● The North County Fire Chiefs are beginning preparation of a regional strategic Plan that commits to "operational blending." This concept, like the boundary drop, is based on delivering top quality fire, rescue and Emergency Medical Services at a fiscally responsible cost.
● Through the Mutual Aid system, which has been in place since the 1970s, resources are automatically dispatched from neighboring cities when necessary. Mutual Aid also ensures that during a large-scale disaster, cities can call for additional resources.