Mariposa County Fire State of the Fire Department
State of the Fire Department Surveyed Volunteer Chief Officers Questioned Company Officers Attended Company Training Sessions Training Advisory Committee Dinner with Volunteer Members Met with Community Groups One-on on-one Conversations Open Door Policy
Positive Findings High Morale Among Active Members Skilled & Motivated Staff Experienced Senior Volunteer Leaders Motivated Company Officers Effective Safety Practices Patrol Vehicles Water Tenders
Positive Findings EMS Training Program Community Education Programs Wildland Fire Community Education Community Fuel Reduction Programs Disaster Planning Community Relations Strong Foundation
State of the Fire Department If MCFD Were a Hospital Patient We Would be in Intensive Care in CRITICAL CONDITION One Step From Being Placed on LIFE SUPPORT
State of the Fire Department Four Major Problems Lack of Volunteer Members Old & Outdated Fire Engines Substandard Fire Stations Inadequate Fire Marshal Program
Messages From Our Volunteer Members Responses from 13 Stations 1. Need More Volunteer Members (13) 2. More & Better Fire Training (11) 3. Fire Engine Age/Condition (9) 4. Communication (9) 5. Improve Relations with CAL FIRE (6) 6. Condition of Fire Station (5)
Messages From Our Volunteer Members Responses from 13 Stations 7 Access to Other Fire Stations (4) 8 New Member Entry Physical Qualifications (4) 9 Necessity to Fund Raise (Inadequate Fire Dept. Funding) (3) 10 Safety Programs (2) 11 Inadequate Fire Water at Stations (2)
Recruitment & Retention Create a Comprehensive R & R Program Appointed Volunteer Committee Captain Marcella Good-Mormon Bar Captain Tom Hull-Lushmeadows Lieutenant Karen Wilson-Greeley Hill Captain Dennis Buck-MPUD
Recruitment & Retention New Approaches Create Special Response Categories EMS Responder Apparatus Driver/Operator Support
Recruitment & Retention New Approaches Create a Resident Firefighter Program Through a Regional Training Center For a Fee Offer College Accredited Courses: Firefighter I Firefighter II EMT Regional State Fire Marshal Courses NWCG Certification Courses
Recruitment & Retention Training Center Benefits & Goals Enterprise Fund Self Supporting Steady Supply of Resident Firefighters Prepare Young People for the Most Sought After Career in America Economic Benefit to Local Business
Recruitment & Retention Develop Member Versatility & Efficiency Explore Use of New Technology Infrared Thermal Imaging Water Additive Technology with Possible ISO Benefits Consider New Residential Sprinkler Requirement Universal Member Access to all Fire Stations Fully Utilize Support Personnel Creative Dispatch Patterns
Training & Safety Division Chief-Training: Paul Smith Member Training Advisory Committee Training by Regional Divisions More Frequent Specialized Training Lesson Plans on Website State & National Programs Accessible to all Semi-Annual Multi Agency Training
Communication Create Multiple Avenues of Two-Way Member Communication Monthly Member Newsletter Regular Staff Meetings Continually Update Department Website Flash E-Mail E Messages to all Members Regular Station Visits by Chief Officers Open Door Policy-Always Accessible Community Newsletter-Press Releases
Fire Engines No Current Fire Engine Meets NFPA Standard All but Three Engines are 32+ Years Old
Fire Engines NFPA Standard Dictates: No Front Line Fire Engine Should be Over Twenty Years Old No Reserve Fire Engine Should be Over Twenty-Five Years Old All Engines Manufactured Before 1991 Should be Refurbished to Current Safety Standards
Fire Stations Critical Public Infrastructure ISO Places High Priority on Serviceability Nine Open Building Permits from 1983 Only Two Meet Needs for Next Decade Station 32-Ponderosa Basin Station 36- Hunters Valley
Fire Stations One Other Station is Close Station 29-Lushmeadows Public Works-Conduct Station Survey With Rebuilds Midpines and Fish Camp Could Become Joint Agency-USFS and Provide Long Term Income
Fire Marshal Program Inadequate Fee Schedule Inadequate Staffing for Plan Checks Inadequate Staffing for Developer Oversight
Fire Marshal Program No Fire Pre-Planning Planning Activity No Annual Commercial Inspections Immediate Need for ½ Time Fire Marshal
State of the Fire Department Four Major Problems Lack of Volunteer Members Old & Outdated Fire Engines Substandard Fire Stations Inadequate Fire Marshal Program
State of the Fire Department County Fire is an Integral Element of Mariposa s Public Safety Equation County Fire Must Remain Mission-Ready Today, Tomorrow, and Into the Future
State of the Fire Department County Fire Needs a Formal Strategic Plan A A Road Map into the Future County Fire s Volunteer Members and Their Communities Need Board of Supervisor Encouragement and Financial Support
We re at the Crossroads We All Need to be Part of the Solution We Need to Ensure the Future of Emergency Service in Mariposa County
State of the Fire Department Questions? Comments? Solutions?