Fire Services Ad Hoc CommitteeNext Steps on Placer County Sustainable Fire/EMS ServicesJune 23, 2020
Fire Services BOS Workshop
The Future of Fire/EMS Services for
the Placer County Fire Department
(PCFD)
October 20, 2020
Fire Services Workshop
Proposed Format
Recap Impetus for Fire/EMS Review
Share Ad Hoc Committee Perspectives
Outline PCFD Service & Fiscal
Challenges
Update BOS on Fire Services Work to
Date
Affirm BOS Direction on Next Steps
2
Impetus for Fire/EMS
BOS Review
▪ Review of Distressed Fire Services (Jenine Windeshausen, 2017)
o Fire service costs outpaced revenues/Property tax
insufficient to cover basic services
o Level of service decreases will escalate fire insurance
rates/ cancellations to economic detriment of County
▪ Fire Service in Western Placer County (County Executive Office,
2018)
o Charter of Fire Services Ad Hoc Committee
o Strategy for long-term sustainable fire services for PCFD
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Fire Services Assessment
Standard of Cover (July 2019)
▪ Study conducted by Matrix Consulting Group
▪ Scope of Work: Assessment of Fire Department
operations, response capabilities, and
appropriate staffing levels
▪ Also analyzed: Response time criteria,
regionalized 911 dispatching procedures, and
performance metrics associated with a
regionalized 911 system
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Fire Services Assessment
Standard of Cover (July 2019)Key Recommendations
STAFFING/LEVEL OF SERVICE
Increase the minimum staffing of the currently staffed
engine companies from 2 personnel to 3 personnel and
improve the response with advanced life support.
EXPANDING SERVICES/NEW DEVELOPMENT
Work with county staff to ensure the construction and
staffing of the fire stations are suitable for the developed
area.
DISPATCH SERVICES
Ensure ability to monitor call processing, turnout time, and
travel time. Consider a CAD to CAD transfer system. Monitor
impact of new developments on baseline travel time.
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Scope of Work
▪ Systemwide financial assessment
▪ Review of revenues/expenditures within each
ZOB
▪ Incorporate additional capital needs
(facilities and equipment)
▪ Incorporate Standards of Cover staffing
recommendations and associated costs
▪ Identify opportunities for restructuring
expenditures across ZOBs
PCFD Fiscal Sustainability
Goodwin Analysis (July 2020)
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PCFD Fiscal Sustainability
Goodwin Analysis (July 2020)
Data Provided for Analysis
▪ FY 19-20 Budgets for all ZOBs/Fire Control Fund
▪ Reserve balances for all ZOBs/Fire Control Fund
▪ FY 19-20 direct charges/special assessments for
each ZOB
▪ Cost to bring facilities to an acceptable level of
repair
▪ Cost to replace outdated apparatus
▪ Assessor Parcel Numbers, Tax Rate Areas, County
Use Codes, and population data for each ZOB
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Analysis Assumptions
▪ 2.0% annual increase in assessed values for
property tax calculations
▪ 2.4% annual increase in direct charge
revenues for applicable ZOBs
▪ 3.0% annual increase in CAL FIRE personnel
costs
▪ 2.0% annual increase for all other revenues
and other expenses.
PCFD Fiscal Sustainability
Goodwin Analysis (July 2020)
Fire Service Ad Hoc Committee
2018 – Present
▪ Chartered by BOS in May 2018; convened June
2018
▪ Work to date includes:
o Evaluated standards of cover (SOC) study/
associated costs for recommended service
levels
o Assessed long term fire/EMS fiscal sustainability
o Conducted fiscal analysis of LOS alternatives
o Prioritized need to stabilize fiscal outlook
before optimizing service delivery model
▪ Report to Board of Supervisors (Oct 2020)
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Placer County Fire DepartmentCounty-CAL FIRE Partnership
Local Service & Regional Depth
▪ High quality local fire protection/life safety
services
▪ Competitive cost per call as compared to other
independent districts
▪ Mutual aid services to other independent fire
districts 11
PCFD Service Model at a Glance
12
•Regionally competitive cost per call (4th lowest in Placer
County)
•Highest call volume of all fire agencies in the unincorporated
county
•Largest fire/EMS service area (475 sq. mi.)
•Asset Protection/Life Safety
•$6.7 billion in private property and infrastructure
•19,000 residences (more structures in SRA than any CA
county)
•58,000 people
•Amador stations
➢ Significant factor in reducing the cost per call
➢ Leverages state and local resources
➢ Year-round fire services provided by three stations at a
Placer County Fire Department
Mutual Aid Responses Provided
Average Cost Per Call: $1,561.00
Data Source: CAL FIRE 13
PCFD
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Countywide Benefits Provided by
Placer County Fire Department
▪ Technical Rescue Team (TRT)
▪ Tactical EMS Support Program
▪ Central HazMat Team
▪ Fire Marshal/Fire Planners/Fire Prevention Bureau
▪ Placer County Volunteer/Resident Firefighter
Program
▪ PCFD Radio Communications Support
▪ Truck 77, Truck 180, Boat 180, Boat 77, BS 182,
Water Tenders, and USAR Program
▪ EMS and ALS Program Management
▪ Training Bureau
▪ OES Region 4 Dispatching
▪ PCFD Mutual Aid to Districts
▪ Command and Control for all wildland fires within
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Assessment (Per Parcel) - $78.38 Property Taxes - N/A
Assessment (Per Parcel) - $48.00Property Taxes - $2.4M
Assessment (Per Parcel) - $88.06 Property Taxes - N/A
Assessment (Per Parcel) - N/A Property Taxes - $49K
Assessment (Per Parcel) - $226.16 Property Taxes - $877K
Assessment (Per Parcel) - $925.53/acre Property Taxes - N/A
Assessment (Per Parcel) - $684.85Property Taxes - N/A
Placer County Fire – CSA 28 Zones of Benefit
FY 19/20
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Placer County Fire Department ChallengesServices, Equipment/Facilities, Fiscal Sustainability
Varying levels of service among Zones of Benefit (ZOBs)
• Career vs volunteer firefighters
• Basic Life Support (BLS) vs Advanced Life Support
(ALS)
• Station staffing
Inadequate equipment replacement
Substandard facilities maintenance
Deficit spending in 5 of 7 Zones of Benefit (ZOBs)
• Dry Creek
• Dutch Flat
• North Auburn/Ophir
• Sunset
• Western Placer
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PCFD/ZOB Stations Station Type ALS/BLS
Fire Control Fund* 10, 30, 33, 701 Career
3 Amador
1 pt. time ALS
3 BLS
Bickford Ranch** N/A N/A N/A
Dry Creek 100Career/Volunteer
combination stationBLS
Dutch Flat 32 Volunteer BLS
North Auburn Ophir 180, 182 2 Career BLS
Sheridan 78 Volunteer BLS
Sunset 77 Career ALS
Western Placer 74, 75 Volunteer BLS
Placer County Fire Department/ZOBs Level of Service Overview
April 2020
*Fire Control Fund includes PCFD Chief Officers, 2 Fire Planner, Hazmat, Technical Rescue and Water Rescue Teams, a systemwide
personnel relief pool, one career fire station (#70), and three Amador Stations in Alta, Bowman, and Colfax. It also provides a cost
share for engine and equipment replacement.
**Fire station planned with 1st stage of development. 17
SymptomBasic Life Support (BLS)
Stabilizes Patient for TransportAdvanced Life Support (ALS)
Provides Critical Medical Intervention
Chest PainBasic assessment, obtain patient history,
vital signs, administer oxygen
Advanced assessment, 12-lead EKG to diagnose abnormal
heart rhythms, establish an IV and administer fluids, administer
medications/drugs, administer pain medications
Difficulty Breathing
Basic assessment, obtain patient history,
vital signs, administer oxygen
Advanced assessment, diagnose lung sound abnormalities,
advanced airway management techniques, administer
medications and breathing treatments, IV fluids
Diabetic EmergenciesBasic assessment, obtain patient history,
vital signs, administer oxygen, administer
oral glucose if patient is conscious
Advanced assessment, blood glucose check, IV fluids,
administer Dextrose and other necessary medications
Allergic
Reaction/Anaphylaxis
Basic assessment, obtain patient history,
vital signs, administer oxygen, administer
epi-pen
Advanced assessment, administer IV fluids, administer
Benadryl, administer epinephrine via IV or shot, administer
breathing treatments
CPR
Basic assessment, obtain patient history,
perform CPR, utilize automated external
defibrillator (AED)
Advanced assessment, 12-lead EKG to diagnose abnormal
heart rhythms, perform defibrillation/cardioversion/cardiac
pacing, perform advanced airway management
(intubation), administer cardiac medications/drugs, establish
an IV and administer fluids
Traumatic Emergencies
Basic assessment, obtain patient history,
vital signs, administer oxygen,
immobilization and splitting
Advanced assessment, fluid replacement, pain management
through narcotic administration, chest decompression,
needle cricothyrotomy, advanced hemorrhage control
Most Frequent Placer County Fire Department 911 CallsBLS vs. ALS Response
(Nearly 80% of Calls for Service)
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Placer County Fire Department (PCFD)
Level of Service
Current Level of Service: 2-0/BLS except Station 77 (Casino)
2019 Standards of Cover Study Recommended Service Level: 3-0/ALS
Greater efficiency
in Fire/EMS services
Better health
outcomes
Data Sources:National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST)
Increased safety for
firefighters
Improved property
conservation
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Direct charge does not cover current service costs
▪ Dry Creek
▪ Dutch Flat
▪ North Auburn/Ophir
▪ Sunset
▪ Western Placer
Inadequate funding for equipment replacement
Historically substandard facilities maintenance
Deficit Spending by ZOBs
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Future PCFD Alternatives for ZOBs
Scenario 1: Close current LOS funding gap without
addressing deficient equipment/facilities needs
Scenario 2: Close current LOS funding gap and
address equipment and facilities needs
Scenario 3a: Scenario 2 + Standardize EMS
Services to provide ALS services
Scenario 3b: Scenario 3a + Standardize EMS Services to
provide ALS and increase staffing to three staff per
apparatus
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Placer County Fire Department Estimated Gap
FY 2019-20 through FY 2024-25
Source: Placer County; Goodwin Consulting Group, Inc.
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Placer County Fire Department
Estimated Reserves and Cumulative Fund Balance by Scenario (in Millions)
2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Scenario 1: Current LOS
Sc 1: Beginning Balance $7.9 $4.4 $0.5 ($3.6) ($8.0) ($12.7)
Operating Surplus/(Deficit) ($3.6) ($3.8) ($4.1) ($4.4) ($4.7) ($5.0)
Ending Balance $4.4 $0.5 ($3.6) ($8.0) ($12.7) ($17.7)
Scenario 2: Scenario 1 and Maintenance/Replacement Costs
Sc 2: Beginning Balance $4.4 ($0.2) ($5.8) ($11.7) ($18.2) ($25.1)
Master Apparatus Replacement Costs ($0.7) ($0.7) ($0.9) ($1.3) ($1.3) ($1.1)
Maintenance Costs to Maintain FCI ("Fair") n/a ($0.8) ($0.6) ($0.5) ($0.5) ($0.4)
Ending Balance $3.7 ($1.7) ($7.3) ($13.5) ($20.1) ($26.6)
Scenario 3a: Scenario 2 and ALS Costs
Sc 3a: Beginning Balance $3.7 ($1.9) ($8.0) ($14.5) ($21.5) ($28.3)
Advanced Life Support (ALS) Costs ($0.3) ($0.4) ($0.4) ($0.4) ($0.4) ($0.4)
Ending Balance $3.4 ($2.3) ($8.3) ($14.9) ($21.8) ($28.7)
Scenario 3b: Scenario 3a and Std of Cover Study Costs (i.e., 3 personnel per unit)
Sc 3b: Beginning Balance $3.4 ($2.3) ($9.3) ($16.9) ($24.9) ($32.8)
Std of Cover Study Implementation Savings / (Expenses) n/a ($1.0) ($1.0) ($1.0) ($1.1) ($1.1)
Ending Balance $3.4 ($3.3) ($10.3) ($17.9) ($25.9) ($33.9)
Source: Placer County; CalFire; Goodwin Consulting Group, Inc.23
Placer County Fire Department Zones of Benefit Fiscal Impact Analysis
Comparison of Direct Charge Rates (FY 2019-20) and Average Annual Deficits per DUE
North
Dry Dutch Auburn/
Bickford Creek Flat Ophir Sheridan Sunset Western
Zone of Benefit (ZOB) Ranch Fire Fire Fire Fire Fire Placer
CSA 28 28 28 28 28 28 28
Zone 189 165 150 193 6B 97 76
Station(s) n/a 100 32 180/182 78 77 73/74/75
Residential (per DU) $685 $226 $78 $48 n/a n/a $88
Commercial/Industrial n/a n/a n/a $0.09 per SF n/a Greater of n/a
$48 Min $0.09 per SF or
$300 Max- Protected $926 per Acre
$600 Max- Unprotected
Average Deficit per DUE in FY 2020-21 1
Sc 1: Net Fiscal Impact n/a $75 $1 $72 n/a $284 $7
Sc 2: Sc 1 and Maint/Rplc Costs n/a $183 $172 $105 $37 $331 $53
Sc 3a: Sc 2 and ALS Costs n/a $210 $172 $127 $37 $331 $53
Sc 3b: Sc 3a and Std of Cover Study Costs n/a $297 $172 $184 $37 $237 $53
(i.e., 3 personnel per unit)
Cumulative Deficit per DUE in FY 2020-21
Sc 1: Net Fiscal Impact $685 $301 $80 $120 n/a $284 $95
Sc 2: Sc 1 and Maint/Rplc Costs $685 $409 $250 $153 $37 $331 $141
Sc 3a: Sc 2 and ALS Costs $685 $436 $250 $175 $37 $331 $141
Sc 3b: Sc 3a and Std of Cover Study Costs $685 $523 $250 $232 $37 $237 $141
(i.e., 3 personnel per unit)
1 These deficits are in addition to existing direct charges.
Source: Placer County; Goodwin Consulting Group, Inc.
24Note: On Dec. 12, 2017, the Bickford Ranch property owner petitioned, and the Board approved an amendment to CSA 28,
ZOB 189 and revised the charges to the current annual assessment of $633.79 (to include annual CPI adjustment).
Placer County Fire Department Alternatives
Average Cost per Call by Scenario
Source: Placer County; Goodwin Consulting Group, Inc. 25
Comparative Fire Service Costs in Placer County
Data Sources:
Calls for service: CAL FIRE and PCSO
Budgeted expenditures were obtained from districts’ FY 19/20 budgets
An estimation was utilized for Alta FPD as no budget was available for review
$428
$1,350 $1,556 $1,561 $1,632 $1,668 $1,766 $2,246
$2,657
$3,866 $4,298
$6,323 $6,694
$10,900
Alta FPD (Volunteer) Penryn FPD Scenario 2 Scenario 3b Foresthill FPD Truckee FPD Squaw Vallley PSD
Average Cost Per Call (2019)
+ Average Cost per Scenario
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Next Steps Toward Sustainable
Fire/EMS Protection in Placer County
Status Quo: Fund Increased
Costs/Reduce Services
Legacy Patchwork: Propose ZOB
Charges to Close Fiscal Gap and
Address Service Deficiencies
New Community Facilities District:
Evolve ZOBs to Fiscal/Service
Model to Keep Pace with Costs
27
Status Quo for
Fire/Emergency Services
▪ Fund increased PCFD costs for FY 21-
22
▪ Reduce PCFD services as needed to
maintain FY 20-21 spending levels
▪ Other PCFD alternatives
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$6
85
$2
26
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8
$4
8
$-
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$6
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$3
01
$8
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20
$-
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50
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50
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$-
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
Bickford Ranch Dry Creek Fire Dutch Flat Fire North
Auburn/Ophir Fire
Sheridan Fire Sunset Fire Western Placer
Residential (per DU) Sc 1 Sc 2 Sc 3a Sc 3b2
Legacy Patchwork
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Cumulative Deficit per DUE
30
Mello-Roos Community Facilities Districts to
Fund Fire Protection Services
CFDs for New Development Projects
▪ Landowner election - one vote per acre or portion of
acre owned within the CFD; 2/3-vote needed
▪ Maximum special taxes set to pay service costs
associated with a particular project
▪ Properties can annex into CFD in an accelerated
manner after the initial CFD formation
▪ Tax is disclosed to homeowners when home is
purchased
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Mello-Roos Community Facilities Districts to Fund Fire Protection Services
CFDs for Existing Development
▪ Registered-voter election – 2/3 of votes must be in favor
of CFD formation or annexation into CFD
▪ CFD can include one project or multiple projects with
separate tax zones if different rates will apply
▪ Boundaries of CFD do not need to be contiguous
▪ Process to annex into CFD is virtually the same as
process to form a new CFD
Next Steps Toward Sustainable
Fire/EMS Protection in Placer County
BOS direction to achieve sustainable quality
service
Outreach to develop consensus to close fiscal
gaps
Follow-up with BOS for policy direction/action
Implementation of action plan 32
Fire Services Ad Hoc CommitteeNext Steps on Placer County Sustainable Fire/EMS ServicesJune 23, 2020
Fire Services BOS Workshop
The Future of Fire/EMS Services for
the Placer County Fire Department
(PCFD)
October 20, 2020